Daycare Centers

Daycare for children in Quebec is subsidized by the provincial government. As a result of this financial support, families in Montreal can send their children to daycare for as little as $7 per day, making it affordable for almost every income level. This support is provided as part of a series of measures that the Quebec government has adopted over the past ten years to promote the growth and support of families in the province. Quebec has experienced a negative birth rate for quite a long period of time, and it has been the policy of the province to encourage people to have families. The daycare-specific measure was also aimed at getting women to return to the marketplace after having a child, in order to stimulate the economy.

How does it work?

Any child who is too young to attend kindergarten is able to attend an approved daycare facility at an out of pocket cost to the parent of $7 dollars a day. A large number of these daycares are CPE’s, which stands for ‘Centre de Petite Enfance’ (Early Childhood Center). CPE’s belong usually belong to a regional organization of childcare centers which in turn fall under the banner of the Quebec Association of Early Childhood Centers. These Centers have carefully controlled criteria to meet in terms of the quality of care they provide for children.

What are these criteria?

Many specific items have to be carefully addressed. The diet of the children under the care of the CPE’s must be nutritious and tailored to providing them with enough energy to foster their growth at a young age. The menu and eating habits must be in line with the Canada Food Guide. An educational program needs to be in place in order to challenge and develop the minds of the children participating at the Center. This program has to incorporate play, development through interaction with staff and the other children present, and social, and moral and linguistic development. Children with special needs must be attended to to the best of the staff’s ability. Finally, the safety of the children is of course of paramount importance. These regulations apply to any facility or person who provides care services to more than 6 children at a time, and these facilities must have a government permit.

How do I send my children to daycare?

The Quebec government recommends that parents begin their search for childcare as far as a year in advance. This is because some facilities have very long waiting lists. Several regions have a central service which manage a single waiting list for all of the different care centers in the area, and you can contact these coordinators in order to begin the process. The government also provides a locator service on their website which will help you find the right facility for your child. In addition to the CPE’s there are private facilities and alternative education organizations such as Montessori schools which also take care of the educational and childcare needs of the very young.