Realwomen of BC - Archives - February2006 - Keeping child care at home

Return to Previous Page
THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter February 2006, P.O. Box 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca
Keeping child care at home Now that we have a Conservative government at the helm that has cancelled the Liberal's plan of a national day care, let us keep the momentum going. Two of the board members of REAL Women of BC visited their respective MLAs discussing the need for parental choice in childcare, and encouraging the British Columbia government to work with the conservative party to ensure that any benefits go to the parents so they can choose who takes care of their children. We encourage our members to visit their MLAs as well. The following is a list of points you can bring up: 1. Any surveys of parents have always shown that institutionalized day care is last on the list. First choice was always the parents themselves, if they could afford it. The next choice was close family members and friends. 2. Studies have shown that children in day care are more often sick than children that are raised at home. 3. Studies have also shown that children raised in day care are more aggressive and have more problems emotionally, psychologically, socially, and academically. 4. Nobody will ever love the child the way the parents do. Day care workers might be well educated and well meaning but the child is not theirs and they do not have a long term interest. 5. Any neighbourhood that has people in it during the day is safer. Apparently, the crime rate goes down in those areas where there is more activity. 6. More parents at home mean more safe places for those children that come home to an empty house after school. You probably can think of more points to discuss. Make an appointment to see your MLA and then follow up with a letter outlining your concerns and your ideas. Give your MLA permission to use your letter in parliament to discuss this issue. The more MLAs who receive a visit on this issue the more likely the government will pay attention. Be part of it, for the sake of your children.