losttraveller

Hi,

I would like to ask for all families, for whom childcare is a big deciding factor whether both partners work or not. What is the best option(flexibility and prices) in Canada. Is it nursery, nanny or au pair? I would ask you all who successful made it to Canada, on what influenced your discission and if you all could put how much is childcare costing you. Everybody's feedback is much appreciated.x

gryphea

I work part-time , I pay around $1575 for two children per month, although I have to pay full time rates. I tried to find a childminder or dayhome and I did find one, but 24hrs later she had given up one of her spaces. She would have been $1200 for the part-time. It is hard when one child is in KG as it is only part days. I tried to find a nanny, but needed a driver (not necessarily a car though) and despite trying desparately just couldn't find one I could contemplate.

From september when first child gets to grade 1, Costs will go down to around $1200.

This is in Calgary, where childcare situation is tight.
Gryph

dbd33

Child care in Toronto averages $750/month. However ten years ago I lived with a daycare worker and the place she worked didn't have any places as cheap as that even then so I suspect the actual cost varies a lot by location.

Some links here:

http://www.settlement.org/discuss/to...?TOPIC_ID=2165

losttraveller

Thank you gryphea and dbd33. Anyone else?

gryphea

PS

I understand that most of our costs will be tax free and we should get a large money back in our next tax return. Won't count our chickens though

Canada2006

$7 a day in Québec - but the waiting lists are long for these places. Otherwise we found around $30 per day for private daycare.

Private daycare can be claimed back as a tax credit based upon your income from the Gouvernement du Québec.

Danny B

Here in BC (well Kamloops anyway) I was gobsmacked to find out that a fully fledged child minder only gets $30 per child, per day?

That's when you drop the child off at someone elses house and bring their lunch.

losttraveller

wow thats so cheap! no wonder its hard to find those places! thanks for your post.x

Kev and Katrina

I have a friend in Okotoks who pays $1500 per month for one full time place and an older child after school. Personally I`m thinking that I might just carry on childminding when I get to Canada. I wont be able to afford child care for my lot.

val50

Our one daughter works at a childcare centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia and they charge between C$25 and C$37 a day.

sinurt

Hi,
We pay $500 a month for our son in a daycare full time, he was in a daycare back in the UK so we just used one here, but from what I understand its the same price for a childminder. There are waiting lists here too but we just got lucky I think and didn't have to wait long. We are in New Brunswick.

Sinead

bazzz

If your kids can stitch wallets, I'll "look after" them for free.

dingbat

BC:
Full time place for two and half year old $650/mth. Parents supply everything.
After school care for two children $266/mth each.
Summer daycare costs me over $1800 a month.

When the kids reach the age of seven, you can only deduct a maximum of $4000/year per child on your tax return. If your costs are greater than that, it hits the monthly budget hard.

There is daycare subsidy for low income families - but it doesn't help if you are "working poor", and earn just over the threshold for subsidy, as I do.

terese677

Hi
My child is in full time day care, its hours are 0800 to 1800 ( although we drop off later and pick up sooner as that is a long day), and for one child monday to friday its $1100 a month. We provide lunch.
Thats in North Vancouver
Terese

ann m

A couple of ladies I know have started day-homes from their own homes because they still have their own young children at home anyway - and were advised that they should charge between about $700 and $1000 a month for a full-timer. They can choose whether to provide and/or charge for any extras. They can set their own hourly rate for part-time care. This is Alberta.

Child-care, I think, is one major issue for those contemplating a move - and those that want or need a second income My two are now 8 and 10 and I still want to be at home for them when they come in from school. It limits my work prospects somewhat. I should add, however, that I also need to be at home after school, so I can change into my chauffeur outfit for all their clubs