EXCERPTS
The Region of Waterloo wants local families to help chart the future of childcare.
The region has launched an online survey to collect information from local residents and hope that the survey results will help shape the region's child care programs over the next five years.
"We really want to hear from parents and what they see as some of the important things that would influence our direction in child care going forward," said Nancy Dickieson, the Director of Children's Services with the Region of Waterloo.
There are 11 to 12,000 licensed child care spaces in the region which serves about 18 per cent of the total child population. Dickieson says they understand that there are not enough spaces for all families and that some families struggle with accessing child care.
Cost a factor for families
"We've heard in the past is that cost is a really big factor for families and so we want to understand that better. But what are the other things that they would see as barriers and do they have any advice for other parents."
The results should determine, among other things, which age categories need the most help and locations they'll need child care. Parents, guardians, grandparents or anyone who has had a child care experience can fill out the survey until May 6th.
-reprinted from CBC News