Current daycare policy in Ontario

Some people believe Canada should have universal daycare wherein it is available to every child. Some think that daycare should be available to families based on their ability to pay (i.e., free for some, subsidized for others). Some individuals feel that child care should be the family’s responsibility and that government involvement only adds to the taxpayer’s burden.

1. Should daycare for children be universally funded or subsidized according to income? Why or why not? Discuss the current daycare policy in Ontario set out by the government.

2. Do you think that daycare facilities would be better regulated and thus safer if universal funding was implemented?

3. What influence would universal daycare have on the social determinants of health for preschool children? Discuss 4 of the social determinants of health and provide examples.