New online resource explores public vs. private child care debate

Here is a new online research resource from the Child Care Resource and Research Unit

For more than 30 years, the question “who should own child care?” has been an important issue in the Canadian early childhood field. While the issue of for-profit child care has long been part of the Canadian child care debate, it was recently thrown into sharp focus when a multi-billion dollar Australian child care conglomerate moved in intending to acquire centres in Canada. While much of one focus has been on “big-box” child care, it has become apparent that the issue is a fundamental one about whether early childhood education and care should be a product (like shoes, chocolate or cars) to be marketed to parents as customers or should it be a public good like elementary education, guaranteeing access as a right and fundamental to how the society organizes itself.

The aim of this project is to gather and develop resources to inform and encourage Canadian dialogue on the important public policy issue of privatized child care. To this end, CRRU has gathered pertinent documents available online and in print and has developed a comprehensive bibliography of key research. The project will be ongoing and the website will be updated on a regular basis. Subscribers to CRRU’s weekly e-broadcast will be informed of new additions.