EXCERPTS
For many undergraduate students, the question of how you would raise a child while attending classes may not have even occurred. But while it may look as though it rarely happens, the reality is that at a university as large as UBC, these situations are inevitable.
Most parent-students are working on master's degrees or PhDs, and though no official statistics exist, those at UBC Daycare Services and UBC Access and Diversity are not unfamiliar with younger student parents. In addition to being responsible for the health and happiness of a child, the major issues student parents face are predominantly childcare, finances and social isolation.
Childcare
Beverly Christian, assistant director at the UBC Daycare, explained the intricacies of the UBC Daycare in detail, noting that the integration with Student Housing and Hospitality Services means the daycare is mandated to support students, faculty and staff. Waiting lists vary based on age, with the under-three category boasting the longest waiting list. Expectant mothers are advised to sign up for the waiting list as early as the first trimester. Typically the daycare is fully enrolled, though there are a few independent care services on campus. More than 50 per cent of families enrolled are also residents from within the university area. The good news is that a student quota of 40 per cent exists, and as the daycare cannot afford under-enrolment, the student quota is consistently filled.
B.C. does not have a publicly funded child care system, but Christian believes that it is absolutely needed. "UBC is doing a lot for its employees and students but it's time for the government to step up to the plate," she said. "It is not fair to just look at UBC, and we must also look provincially and nationally [for the childcare support B.C. requires]." She also applauded the efforts of student parents who manage to study, work and parent, expressing amazement at their management of what is a truly difficult situation - especially when pursuing something as challenging as a doctorate, which she told us is the case for many clients at the daycare.
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- reprinted from Ubyssey