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“A child born in the l980’s is still most likely to be born to a married couple, but will likely'have only one sibling or none at all. Somewhat leSs than onohalf of these children will be reared at home by their mothers until they reach school entry age. Many of these children will, during part of each week. share their homes and mother’s care with neighborhood children whose parents are employed. Another one-third or more will have a completely different type of pre-school experience participating all day. year round, in one of the many types of child care arrange- ments. Many of these children will experience frequent moves from one care arrangement to another. Unless changes occur to expand the number of available licensed spaces, only a small minority of children will have access to care that is in any way offiâ€" cially regulated or supervised? (The Katie Cooke Report of the Task Force on Child care.) SOME STATISTICS: - In Ontario, in 1984, the participation rate in the workforce for women between the ages of 25 and 44 (child- bearing/rearing years) was 73.7%. - Of the 84,081 licensed daycare spaces, 26% (21,782) of them are subsidized (1986). 0 Subsidies are cost shared, with the provincial government providing The Ontario Coalition for Better Daycare recently produced a series of videos representing the childcare experiences of families in this pro» Vince. The videos can be rented for $5 each (to cover shipping costs) by writing to the Ontario Coalition for Better Daycare, 1260 Bay St., Suite 700, Toronto. MSR 2138. Here’s a list of the videos. I The Bottom Line: Hamilton â€" Examines the impact of low staff wages and lack of benefits on the quality of child care that daycare staff are able to provide. Reflections from ROS Joyce Canning 30%, the federal government provid- ing 50%, and the municipalities proâ€" viding 20% of the funds. ' A profile of the average daycare worker in Ontario looks like this: 99% are female 56% have early childhood education training 60.2% leave after one to three years Mean wage is $7.l2 per hour Average weekly wage is $267 (average industrial wage $404.07) Average annual earnings $l3,884 The responsibility for creating sub» sidized daycare spaces in Ontario rests with the municipality. Some munici- palities contribute nothing toward daycare. others consider it to be a high priority. Do you know where your municipality stands on this issue? 15 there a budget for this item? If so, what proportion of the total budget is allotted to it? Are there daycare services available in your locality? Is there a need for them? How many children are these in your community under school age? 0 Pour Sauver Notre Gardcries Hearst â€" The only daycare centre in the francophone town of Hearst is threatened with closure. Parents. staff and community members talk about why the centre must be saved. 0 Child Care Realities in Rural Resort Ontario â€" Reviews the lack of child care in the Districts of Haliburton. Muskoka and Parry Sound. Examines the differing needs of rural families and how communities have responded to that need. - Who’s Sharing the Caring? Child- care in Windsor â€" Parents talk about the difficulties of finding and afford- Ontario daycare statistics What percentage of the parents 01‘ these children are working? How many families with young children are on welfare? If you are interested in becoming more knowledgeable on this topic, then the best thing is to get busy and do your homework. An organization that shares your concern and which would provide helpful information is the Ontario Coalition for Better Daycare. 1200 Bay Street. Surtc 700, Toronto. MSR 2B5 (phone 4l6 766-469”. lnditi» dual membership is $10 and for locul organizations, it is $20. The coalition formed in 198] and is run by a council comprised of representatives l'rotn provincial organizations. local coali- tions, and individuals elected at the annual conference. The council meets three times a year. Any member may attend a council meeting. The wall- tion lobbies the provincial rind federal governments for improvements in the Childcare system. A iii-monthly nuns- letter is produced and mailed to all members and an annual conference is held. At the annual board meeting in November. the FWIO look out :t membership for lht‘ provincial body and appointed a rcprcscnlnlivc, liar- bara Patterson from Brant (minty. Local branches who are particularly interested in this topic may wish to join as well. Videos look at daycare experiences ing good daycare. The video also looks at the experience of stall in :i profit-making centre. ' Time for Change: Sarnin â€" A look at the child care situation in Suiniu. I Searching for Something licllcr: County of leads Grenville â€" A look at the lack of licensed daycnrc in ti rural area and the effects of fCliflllL‘L‘ on informal child can: on families. ' The Sioux Lookout Daycare ('cntrt- k An overview of child care prob- lems in Sioux Lookout, l The Marathon Daycare Centre â€" A look at the child care needs of n northern Ontario community, H & C .lan. Feb. Mar. I987 S