The Pros and Cons of Childcare

Childcare has become an essential tool in an ever-changing and growing society. The cost of living in Canada has increased, and society has adapted; women have joined the work-force, and dual income families are necessary to retain a decent standard of living. Hence, there is a demand for adequate childcare. By enrolling a child into a childcare program, there are many benefits, such as allowing parents, single or not, to continue their careers and/or attend school, as well as provide children with a developmental and educational foundation that will benefit them later on in life. With these benefits there are also negatives. The cost of higher-quality childcare is expensive, and lower-income families can often not afford to enroll their children in such programs. If they are enrolled, it is likely to be in a lower-quality facility, where the children will not receive as adequate an education and experience. Additionally, if a child is enrolled in child care he/she may spend too much time away from their family, thereby loosening the familial bond. However, there are possible solutions that have the potential to outweigh the negatives. Overall, the benefits of utilizing child care in Canada outweighs the potential negatives by encouraging children’s developmental growth, giving parents time to work in order to ensure a better quality of life for their family, and provide alternatives to low-income families.

To begin, enrolling a child in a child care program can be beneficial for the child in terms of his/her social and emotional development as well as educational achievement. The experience itself seems to have an overall positive effect on children. Firstly, in the area of social interaction, child care aids in develop...

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