Parent Childcare Survey, Nipissing District, December 2005 ...publicationslist.org/data/d.plumstead/ref-11/Parent Childcare... · North Bay Bonfield East Ferris North Himsworth West

Parent Childcare Survey, Nipissing District, December 2005

Results Data

Objective The following report contains the data results of a recent parent childcare telephone

survey. The survey is part of a Child Care Needs Assessment study being conducted by

DNSSAB’s Children Services.

Survey Sample The survey interviewed 300 parents from the District of Nipissing who have children

ages 0-12, or who were expecting a child within the next 9 months. The margin of error

for the survey is ± 5.7%, 19 / 20 times.

Survey Method The Survey was designed by the DNSSAB Researcher and the Children Services

Management Team. The survey was implemented by Oraclepoll Research Ltd. who

used CATI (Computer Assisted Techniques of Telephone Interviewing) and random

number selection. DNSSAB’s Researcher monitored the pilot survey, and interviews

were conducted in the Respondent’s preferred language of choice. The Management of

Oraclepoll Research Ltd. supervised the survey, and 20% of the telephone interviews

were monitored.

Logistics The survey was implemented between November 24th and December 28th 2005. Initial

calls were made from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Call-backs, no-answers and busy numbers

were made on a staggered, daily rotating basis up to 5 times (between 10 AM and 9 PM)

until contact was made. Additionally, telephone interview appointments were attempted

with those Respondents unable to complete the survey at the time of contact.

Data Quality Due to the small sample size in the smaller communities and outlying areas, the data

should be interpreted with caution when making statistical inferences. Decimals have

been rounded to the nearest tenth. Although North Himsworth (Callander) is in the

District of Parry Sound, it was included in the survey as many Callander parents utilize

childcare in Nipissing District (Parry Sound DSSAB has cross- jurisdictional agreements

with DNSSAB). To preserve confidentiality, some area suppression has been adopted.

This report was prepared by David Plumstead, MBA; DNSSAB Researcher.

DNSSAB Children Services /Research, June 2006 2

DEMOGRAPHICS: WHO THE SURVEY HEARD FROM Geographic Area

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Geographic Area

North Bay67%Bonfield

3%

East Ferris6%

North Himsworth4%

West Nipissing13%

South Algonquin1%

Mattawa3%

Redbridge2%

Temagami1%

North Bay Bonfield East Ferris North Himsworth West NipissingSouth Algonquin Mattawa Redbridge Temagami

Family Income (Gross)

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Family Gross Income, Dec. 2005

11%

18%

8%

12%

10%

15%

13%13%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

Under$20,000

$20,000-$30,000

$30,000-$40,000

$40,000-$50,000

$50,000-$60,000

$60,000-$70,000

$70,000-$100,000

$100,000+

Fam

ilies

(%)


Family Structure

Nipissing District Parent Survey, Family Structure Dec. 2005

64%20%

14% 2%

MarriedCommon LawSingle Parent (female)Single Parent (male)

Survey Respondent

Nipissing District Parent Survey Respondents, Dec. 2005

75%

21%2% 2%

MotherFatherLegal GaurdianExpecting Parent


Language

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Primary Langugae Spoken at Home, Dec. 2005

84%

13%

2%

1%

EnglishFrenchFrench & EnglishOther

Children Represented (age-groups 0-12)

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Children Ages 0-12, Dec. 2005

15%

10%

18%

16%

41% Infant (0-18 mos.)Toddler (19 mos. - 29 mos.)Preschool (2.5 - 4 yrs.)JK / SK (5 - 6 yrs.)School-age (7 - 12 yrs.)


Age Group Share by Area

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Age Group Share by Area, Dec. 2005

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

North B

ay

Bonfie

ld

East F

erris

North H

imsw

orth

Cache

Bay

Verner

Field

Crystal

Falls /

Rive

r Vall

ey

Sturge

on Fall

s

South

Algonq

uin

Mattaw

a

Redbri

dge

Temag

ami

Fam

ilies

(%)

Infant (0-18 mos.) Toddler (19-29 mos.) Preschool (2.5-4 yrs.)JK /SK (5-6 yrs.) School-age (7-12 yrs.)


FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 0-12

• The chart indicates that the District’s childcare industry is presently operating on approximately 36% market share

• This indicates that of the 11,500 children (ages 0-12) presently in the District, approx. 4,200 are in some form of external childcare and 7,300 are cared for by their parents.

• Approx. 29% (or 1200) of the children in external daycare, are using licensed childcare centres or private-home daycares

• It should be noted that 29% of those providing their own childcare will need external childcare services within the next 18 mos. (see page 10)

Do you have any children 12 yrs. of age or under that are currently in a child care service provided by someone other than yourself or your spouse, on either a full-time or part-time basis?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Families Requiring External Childcare, Dec. 2005

36%

64%

Yes

No

Cross Tabulation by Family Structure

Nipissing District, Childcare and Family Structure

43%42%

31%35%

57%58%

69%65%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Married Couple Common Law Single Parent (female) Single Parent (male)

Fam

ilies

(%)

Using External Childcare Providing Own Childcare

• While single parents proportionately, are more inclined to use childcare compared to couples, a significant number provide their own care

• Given the socioeconomic status of many of these sole-support families, it would follow that more would be accessing childcare (subsidized) services.


• Given the childcare subsidy threshold is approx. $50k (gross annual income), it would follow that more families below this income level would use childcare (see page 25), and there would be less income correlation

• The graph indicates however that proportionately, many families in the lower income groups are not using external childcare – and this is where the need may be the greatest.

• There appears to be some correlation between incomes and external childcare use in the District – as incomes rise, the use of external childcare services does also (this would not be subsidized childcare but rather full-fee /market price)

Cross Tabulation by Income

Nipissing District, Childcare and Family Income (Gross)

17%

36%

37% 41

%

24%

52%

44%

41%

83%

64%

63%

59%

76%

48%

56% 59%R2 = 0.38

R2 = 0.3834

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Under$20,000

$20,000 -$30,000

$30,000 -$40,000

$40,000 -$50,000

$50,000 -$60,000

$60,000 -$70,000

$70,000 -$100,000

$100,000+

Fam

ilies

(%)

Using External Childcare Providing Own ChildcareRegression Line Regression Line

R2 is the Correlation Coefficient and refers to the strength of the relationship between two variables. O= no correlation and 1= perfect correlation.

Cross Tabulation by Area

• Many of those not using external childcare services appear to live in the outer-lying communities

Nipissing District, Childcare by Area

38%

11%

29% 36

%

20%

38% 46

%

22%

40% 50

%

50%

50%

62%

89%

71%

64%

80%

100%

63%

55%

100%

78%

60%

50%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

North B

ay

Bonfie

ld

East F

erris

North H

imsw

orth

Cache

Bay

Verner

Field

Crystal

Falls /

Rive

r Vall

ey

Sturge

on Fall

s

South

Algonq

uin

Mattaw

a

Redbri

dge

Temag

ami

Fam

ilies

(%)



Cross Tabulation by Language

• Differences in language & culture do not appear to be a factor in determining whether or not parents use external childcare or provide their own

• Bilingual families appear to have a greater utilization rate of external childcare

Nipissing District, Childcare and Culture

36%

43%

35%36%

64%

57%

65%64%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

English French French & English Other

Fam

ilies

(%)



Families Not Using Childcare (i.e., it is provided by self, partner or spouse)

Will you need other childcare services within the next 18 mos.?

• This is an important parent segment, in terms of targeting for licensed childcare services and programs

• Providing future childcare users with general childcare education, awareness and options (including the benefits of licensed programs) will help them make the best informed choice.

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Families Not Presently Using External Childcare, But Who Will Need it in the Next 18 Months

29%

61%

10%

Yes

No

Undecided


• Proportionately, single mothers will have the greatest need for future childcare services, presumably due to their maternity leaves ending (see next page)

• Future childcare need is otherwise distributed evenly across the family structures

Nipissing District, In Need of External Childcare Within the Next 18 mos.

25%

48%

25%26%

75%

36%

61%66%

16%14%

8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Married Couple Common Law Single Parent (female) Single Parent (male)

Fam

ilies

(%)

Will Need External Childcare Will Not Need External Childcare Undecided


Families Presently Using, or Who Will Require, External Childcare Services

For what reasons do you, or will you, require childcare?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Primary Reasons for Childcare, Dec. 2005

4%7%7%

82%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Work /Employment Maternity Leave Over School Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: social development for children, summer holidays and having a disabled child.

• 50% of the District’s parents who are presently using childcare (or will be using it), prefer licensed childcare services, with the next most popular type being relatives or family members (13%)

• The use of Nanny’s and private home (unlicensed) childcare is also popular, with 28% of parents choosing these types. These also seem to be the most volatile types of childcare, as they were given as the main reasons for parents switching (see page 14)

What do you (or will you) use as your primary type of childcare?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Primary Type of Childcare, Dec. 2005

1%2%5%

9%9%10%13%

20%

30%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Licen

sed C

hildc

are C

entre

Licen

sed P

rivate

Hom

e Day

care

Relativ

e or F

amily

Membe

r

Nanny

or Sitte

r (in-h

ome)

Nanny

or Sitte

r (ou

tside

home)

Unlice

nsed

Chil

dcare

Don't K

now

Before

& Afte

r Sch

ool P

rogram Othe

r

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: after school program and Stepping Stones program for autistic children.


What are the main reasons that you have chosen (or will choose) this type of childcare?

• Reliability, availability and reputation are the next three most important reasons, with 31% of the parents stating these

• Almost half of the parents relied upon (or will rely upon) word-of-mouth and referrals to find childcare

• Traditional advertising mediums do not appear to play a significant role in attracting parents

• Likely, this is more the result of a lack of childcare education, awareness and promotion by the District’s childcare industry

• 42% of the parents stated that cost, location and quality are the primary reasons they have chosen (or will choose) their childcare services.

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for Choosing Present Childcare, Dec. 2005

4%

2%2%

3%3%

4%4%

6%

9%

10%

12%13

%14%15

%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

Cost

Loca

tion

Quality

of C

are

Reliab

ility

Times

/ Flex

ibility

/ Ava

ilabil

ity

Reputa

tion

Know th

e Chil

dcare

Prov

ider

No Othe

r Opti

ons

More Pers

onal

Attenti

onSafe

ty

Don't K

now

Preferr

ed C

hoice

Una

vaila

ble

Offers

Specia

l Nee

ds H

elpOthe

r

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: recommended by a family member or friend, it is bilingual, the adult-child ratio and it was licensed.

How did you find, or will you find, care for your children?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Finding Childcare, Dec. 2005

1%1%2%2%3%3%3%4%4%4%

14%

14%

24%

22%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Word-of

-Mou

th

Referra

l (fam

ily, fr

iend e

tc..)

Childc

are is

Provide

d by R

elativ

e, etc

.

Found

Throug

h an A

genc

y

Placed

a New

spap

er Ad

By Res

earch

ing th

e Cen

tres

Don't K

now

Older C

hild W

ent T

here

Respo

nded

to a

Newsp

aper

Ad

Loca

tion (

live c

lose t

o it)

Intern

et

The O

nly O

ne in

Town

Teleph

one B

ook

Workpla

ce H

as a

Dayca

re

Fam

ilies

(%)


• While some of the reasons for turnover do not pertain to licensed centres or daycares, quality emerged as a primary reason of turnover, and can be addressed through the childcare network

• The costs of switching include child separation /disruption, family inconvenience and administrative costs

• Reducing childcare turnover could be a performance indicator adopted by the District’s ELCC Network

Have you had to switch childcare arrangements in the past 2 years?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Families Who Have Had to Switch Childcare in the Past 2 Years

29%

71%

Yes

No


Switching Childcare Arrangements in the Past 2 Years, by Area

25%

40%

39%

60%

33%

17%

13%

29%

40%

75%

100%

60%

62%67

%

100%

83%88

%100%

71%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

North B

ay

Bonfie

ld

East F

erris

North H

imsw

orth

Cache

Bay

Verner

Crystal

Falls /

Rive

r Vall

ey

Sturge

on Fall

s

Mattaw

a

Redbri

dge

Temag

ami

Fam

ilies

(%)

Have Switched Have Not Switched


Approximately how many times?

• 53% of the families switched their childcare arrangements 2 or more times, over the course of two (2) years

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Number of Times Switching Childcare Arrangements in the Past 2 Years, Dec. 2005

46%

28%

13%

2%

4%

2%

4%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

1

2

3

4

5

6

10 +

# Sw

itche

s

Families (%)

• The private home daycares also seem to be volatile, in that more of them tend to go out of business. The “unsuitable hours of childcare provider” (9%) is likely directed at the private home daycares as their business days tend to be considerably shorter than the commercial childcare centres

• 11% of the turnover is due to quality – a very important criteria regardless of the type of childcare service

• As mentioned earlier, the majority of parents switch due to the Nanny or Sitter quitting

What were the main reasons you switched childcare arrangements?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for Switching Childcare Arrangements, Dec. 2005

11%

4%

4%

4%

7%

7%

7%

9%

9%

9%

11%

20%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

The Nanny or Sitter Quit

Because of a Quality Issue

Private Home Daycare Closed Down

Unsuitable Hours of Childcare provider

I Could no Longer Afford it

Due to Transportation Issues

Have Decided to Stay at Home

Moved

Relatives, etc. Could no Longer do it

Started to go to School

Maternity Leave Over

Other

Families (%)

Other includes: don’t know, the childcare centre closed down, there is no childcare available in my area and my child has special needs.


Childcare Satisfaction How would you rate your satisfaction with the overall care your children presently receive?

• This is another performance indicator area that the District’s ELCC network could adopt , as measured by future surveys

• An 80% parent satisfaction rate is a good accomplishment for the District’s childcare network, given some of the challenges it presently faces

• In keeping with DNSSAB’s program of progressive excellence however, there is still work to be done with the other 20%!

1% 3%

14%

65%

16%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Fam

ilies

(%)

Not Satisfied Neither Satisfiednor Dissatisfied

Satisfied Very Satisfied Don't Know

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Childcare Satisfaction, Dec. 2005


EXPECTING PARENTS Will you require child care, either part-time or full-time, that is provided by someone other than yourself or your spouse or partner, after the

• There are approx. 800 births /yr. in the District which equates to 665 childcare spaces

• While the preferred type of childcare for this parent segment is family or relatives (see next page), educational & awareness programs will help them make the best informed choice

• The survey’s expecting parents were represented evenly across the income distribution

• The parents indicating they would not need external childcare are in the lowest income group, where actual childcare needs may be the greatest

• If parents choose to stay at home and raise their children, that’s one thing. If they want to access external childcare but can’t for whatever reason, that’s another…….

• This is another very important group in terms of childcare education, promotion and targeting

• The majority of families expecting a child will need future childcare services

baby is born?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Expecting Parents Who Will Require External Childcare, Dec. 2005

83%

17%

Yes

No


Expecting Parents Requiring Future Childcare Services and Income

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Under $20,000 $20,000 -$30,000

$40,000 -$50,000

$60,000 -$70,000

$70,000 -$100,000

$100,000 +

Fam

ilies

(%)

Will Require Future Childcare Services Will Not Require Future Childcare Services Note: for those not requiring future childcare services, see page 19.


Expecting Parents Who Will Require External Childcare For what reasons will you require child care?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Expecting Parents' Reasons for Childcare, Dec. 2005

20%

40%40%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Maternity Leave Over Work /Employment School

Fam

ilies

(%)

• Again, this has implications for reaching out to expecting parents through education & awareness programs, and presenting childcare options

• The majority of expecting parents prefer childcare that is provided by relatives or family, followed by licensed childcare. This is in contrast to families who presently use childcare, and who prefer licensed care over family (page 11).

• This may have something to do with the experience factor, and new parents being reluctant to use external (unknown) care

What will you use as your primary type of childcare?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Expecting Parents' Intended Type of Childcare Service, Dec. 2005

20%20%

60%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Relative or Family Member Licensed Childcare Centre Licensed Private HomeDaycare

Fam

ilies

(%)


What are the main reasons for choosing this type of childcare service?

• Similar to parents presently using external childcare (page 12), cost and location are the main criteria used by expecting parents, in choosing their childcare services

• Rather than quality as the next most important reason, expecting parents stated availability(no newborn childcare)

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Expecting Parents' Reasons for Choosing Future Childcare Service, Dec. 2005

20%20%20%20%20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

CostConsideration

Location No Daycares forNewborns

Small GroupSizes

Don't Know

Fam

ilies

(%)

How will you go about finding this type of childcare?

• The fact that the majority of expecting parents will need childcare but don’t’ know where they will find it (or will rely on word-of-mouth and referrals), has significant implications for the District’s ELCC network

• Targeted community outreach is needed to provide childcare education & awareness to this important childcare segment

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Expecting Parents' Plans to Find Childcare, Dec. 2005

20%20%

60%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Don't Know General Word-of-Mouth Ask Family Members, Friends,etc.

Fam

ilies

(%)


Parents and Expecting Parents who are presently not using external childcare services and don’t plan to in the future.

• Surprisingly, of the parents who provide their own childcare (and state they won’t need future services), only 26% actually feel that “home is the best place for children”

• Another 26% of this segment state that unemployment and financial circumstances are the reasons for not using external childcare

• This implies that some of this parent segment may be “convertible’ i.e., they and their children may benefit from professional childcare services or are in need of assistance (but don’t acknowledge it for whatever reason

Why will you not use childcare outside your home?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for Not Using External Daycare

26%

22%

16%

10%7%

6%4% 4% 2% 3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Home i

s the

Best P

lace F

or Chil

dren

There

is Alway

s Som

eone

Hom

e

I am C

urren

tly U

nemplo

yed

Financ

ial R

easo

ns

Older S

ibling

can B

abys

it

No Nee

d

I am Pres

ently

on M

aterni

ty Le

ave

Don't K

now

Old Eno

ugh t

o Care

for T

hemse

lves..

Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: I tried outside daycare but had a bad experience, my friends & family would disapprove, I don’t know how to find out about other options and I can’t get subsidies. If you had no limitations or restrictions, (such as cost, transportation, availability, etc.), what would be your top three preferred choices for childcare services?

* This challenges the argument that “most parents want to stay at home and provide their own childcare”

• Just under 50% of expecting parents and non-users of external childcare indicated that staying at home would be their ideal childcare arrangement *

• Childcare provided by relatives or family members and licensedchildcare centres are the next most popular childcare choices, respectively

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Ideal Childcare for Those Presently Providing Their Own Childcare

1%2%4%7%8%

14%16%

47%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Stay atHome

Relative orFamily

Member

LicensedChildcare

Centre

Don'tKnow

Nanny orSitter (in-

home)

LicensedPrivateHome

Daycare

Before &After

SchoolPrograms

Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: unlicensed childcare (centre or private home) and summer camp program.


IDEAL CHILDCARE OPTIONS Parents who are presently using external childcare services, and expecting parents If you had no limitations or restrictions, (such as cost, transportation, availability, etc.), what would be your top three preferred choices for childcare services?

• s s of , just e

Similar to the previougroup of non-userexternal childcareunder 50% of thospresently using childcare services would prefer to stay home and provide their own child

at

care

• 16% of this group indicated that they would choose licensedchildcare centres as their ideal choice, followed by 10% wwould choose a Nanny

ho

• Childcare that is located near home is the preference for parents, followed by locations that are near work and in a school

• Whereas the previous segment chose childcare provided by relatives or family as the next choice, these parents prefer licensed childcare centres , followed by an in-home Nanny or Sitter

• Similar to the previous parent segment, just under 50% of the parents who are presently using external childcare indicated that staying at home would be their ideal childcare arrangement

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Ideal Childcare for Those Presently Using External Childcare, or Expecting Parents

1%1%1%1%2%4%7%9%10%

16%

48%

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%

Stay at

Hom

e

Licen

sed C

hildc

are C

entre

Nanny

or Sitte

r (in-

home)

Relativ

e or F

amily

Membe

r

Licen

sed P

rivate

Hom

e Day

care

Don't K

now

Unlice

nsed

Chil

dcare

Before

& Afte

r Sch

ool P

rogram

s

Summer

Camp P

rogram

After S

choo

l Prog

ram Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: a nanny or sitter outside the home and friends. Where would you prefer to have this childcare service located?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Preferred Childcare Location, Dec. 2005

49%

16%13%

8% 7% 6%0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Near Home Near Work In a School Don't Know Near Child'sSchool

At Home

Fam

ilies

(%)


Would you prefer to have services at this daycare offered in English, French, both, or in another language?

• There is significant demand for bilingual childcare services, within Nipissing District

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Prefered Language for Delivery of Childcare Services, Dec. 2005

56%33%

10% 1%Bilingual

English

French

Don't Know


CHILDCARE SERVICES DEMAND, DAY & TIME On what days do your children (or will your children) require care from someone other than yourself, your spouse or partner?

• 15% of parents require childcare services on non-standard days

Nipissing District Parent Survey: The Need for Childcare (Days), Dec. 2005

14%9% 4% 3% 1% 1%

68%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Monday -Friday (week)

Monday -Friday (single

days)

RandomDays &Weeks

IrregularShifts or On-

call

Don't Know Occassional/RandomDrop-off

Weekends

Fam

ilies

(%)

During what times do your children (or will your children) require care from someone other than yourself, your spouse or partner?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: The Need for Childcare (Times), Dec. 2005

15%10%

5% 4% 4% 2%

60%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Full Day After School BeforeSchool

Don't Know Shifts On Call Before &After School

Fam

ilies

(%)


ACCESSING CHILDCARE Parents who are presently using external childcare services, and expecting parents Overall, how would you rate the way that childcare is promoted or advertised in Nipissing District?

21%20%

27%

16%

10%

5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Fam

ilies

(%)

Very Poor Poor Neutral Good Very Good Don't Know

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Childcare Promotion / Advertising

Are you familiar with the difference between licensed (regulated) childcare and unlicensed childcare?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Knowing the Difference Between Licensed & Unlicensed Childcare

82%

17% 1%

Know The Difference

Don't Know The Difference

Not Sure


• The fact that the majority of parents presently rely on referrals and word-of-mouth to choose their childcare (see pages 12 & 18) is indicative of this

• While the majority of parents know the difference between licensed and unlicensed childcare, the 17% that don’t might benefit from this knowledge

• DNSSAB, MCYS and the licensed childcare providers may want to review this with respect to existing promotional literature an distribution

• There are approx. 1200 subsidized children /yr. in the District’s licensed childcare centres and private-home daycares….what would this number be with increased awareness?

• Only 26% of the parents felt that childcare is adequately promoted within the District.

• An emerging theme from this survey is the need for improved communications between the childcare network and parents. This includes general childcare education & awareness, and promotion and advertising

• Not surprisingly, the same number of families who didn’t know the difference between licensed and unlicensed childcare, don’t know about childcare subsidy

• Quality service accessibility is a guiding principle of DNSSAB -ensuring that all the parents who want to use childcare and are eligible for subsidy, know about it and can receive it, is central to operations

• Many of these parents may not go looking for subsidy, or might face barriers that prevent them from finding out about it – in this case the message will need to be brought to them

Do you know about childcare subsidy?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Childcare Subsidy Awareness, Dec. 2005

82%

18%

Yes

No

Cross Tabulation by income

• The graph reveals that there are parents in each income distribution class, who would probably qualify for licensed childcare subsidy, but who don’t know about it

• The childcare subsidy threshold is that point below which, parents are most likely to qualify for childcare subsidy (approx. 80% that qualify have gross incomes of less than $30k)

Awareness of Childcare Subsidy by Income (gross)

28%

21%

13%8%

25%22%

14%10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Under$20,000

$20,000 -$30,000

$30,000 -$40,000

$40,000 -$50,000

$50,000 -$60,000

$60,000 -$70,000

$70,000 -$100,000

$100,000+

Fam

ilies

(%)

Aware of Subsidy Not Aware of Subsidy

Childcare Subsidy Threshold



• Sole--support Fathers could benefit from increased subsidized awareness, but this is a relatively small parent segment, comprising only 5% of the District’s families with children

• As 40% of the couples are unaware of childcare subsidy, this would be a prime segment to target for increased awareness

• The majority of sole-support Mothers are aware of childcare subsidy which indicates effective promotion to this parent segment

Awareness of Childcare Subsidy by Family Structure

81% 79%

97%

50% 50%

19% 21%

50% 50%

3%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

MarriedCouple

Common Law Single Parent(female)

Single Parent(male)

ExpectingParents

Fam

ilies

(%) Aware of Subsidy

Not Aware ofSubsidy

If so, have you ever tried (or will you try) to apply for childcare subsidy?

• Almost 40% of the parents who know about childcare subsidy have not applied for it (or won’t be applying)

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Appling for Childcare Subsidy

61%

38%

1%

Have Applied (or will)

Have Not Applied (or won't)

Don't Know



• As would be expected, the graph shows a strong correlation between income and subsidy application – the lower the income, the higher the number of subsidy applications. It also reveals that regardless of income, parents do try for subsidized childcare across the income distribution

• Of particular interest is the indication, that there are parents below the subsidy threshold (i.e., they would probably qualify) who know about childcare subsidy but have not applied.

Applying for Childcare Subsidy & Family Income (gross)

23%

37%

62%

58%

67%

83%

84%

75%

69%

63%

39%42

%

33%

17%

16%

17%

8%8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Under$20,000

$20,000 -$30,000

$30,000 -$40,000

$40,000 -$50,000

$50,000 -$60,000

$60,000 -$70,000

$70,000 -$100,000

$100,000+

Fam

ilies

(%)

Have Applied for Subsidy Have not Applied for Subsidy Don't Know

Childcare Subsidy Threshold

If you have applied, do you presently receive, or have you received childcare subsidy in the past?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Presently Receiving or Have Received, Childcare Subsidy

50%49%

1%

Yes

No

Don't Know


If you have not applied for childcare subsidy, why not?

• 70% of the parents who know about childcare subsidy have not applied for it, because they think they would not qualify

• The data and analysis on the previous page however, indicates otherwise – based upon the main criteria of income, some of these parents would indeed qualify

• This would imply there is a subsidy communications gap, i.e., what the program actually is vs. what it is perceived to be

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for not Applying for Childcare Subsidy, Dec. 2005

2%

28%

70%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

I Would Not Qualify No Need Don't Know

Fam

ilies

Have you ever had difficulty finding or choosing childcare?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Difficulty in Finding or Choosing Daycare, Dec. 2005

35%

63%

1%

Yes

No

Don't Know

• 1 out of 3 parents indicated difficulty in finding childcare



Difficulty in Finding or Choosing Childcare by Area

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

North B

ay

Bonfie

ld

East F

erris

North H

imsw

orth

Cache

Bay

Verner

Crystal

Falls /

Rive

r Vall

ey

Sturge

on Fall

s

Mattaw

a

Redbri

dge

Temag

ami

Fam

ilies

(%)

Have Had Difficulty Have Not Had Difficulty Don't Know What contributed to your difficulties in finding or choosing childcare?

• The fact that some childcare providers have waiting lists while others strive to increase their numbers, indicates performance gaps amongst the providers (given that the top selection criteria of parents are cost, location, quality, reliability, flexibility and reputation –see page 12)

• The “lack of information” reinforces the need for increased marketing & communications to parents

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for Difficulty in Finding or Choosing Childcare, Dec. 2005

2%3%3%3%

5%

7%

9%9%9%10%

16%

24%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Put on

a W

aiting

List

Lack

of In

formati

on

Too Far

from H

ome

Not Eno

ugh S

pace

s

Hard to

Find D

ayca

res fo

r Infan

ts

Not Ava

ilable

at th

e Tim

e I N

eed

Childc

are no

t Ava

ilable

in m

y Area

Availa

ble C

hildc

are U

nacc

eptab

le

Lack

of Trus

t in D

ayca

res

Quality

of Serv

ice

Don't K

now

Have a

Specia

l Nee

ds C

hild

Fam

ilies

(%)


PRESENT CHILDCARE LOCATION In what City or Town is your childcare provider located?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Location of Present Childcare Provider

River Valley

Crystal Falls

Cache Bay Sturgeon Falls

North Bay

Temagami

Astorville

VernerCallander

Redbridge

Mattawa

North BaySturgeon FallsMattawaTemagamiRedbridgeCallanderAstorvilleVernerRiver ValleyCrystal FallsCache Bay

Why was this location chosen?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for Choosing Present Childcare Location, Dec. 2005

4%3%3%5%6%

14%

67%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Near Home Near Work Only SpaceAvailable

Near Child'sSchool

Near MySchool

Don't Know Other

Fam

ilies

(%)


General Characteristics When selecting a care provider for your child, what were the three most important things you took into consideration?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Important Factors in Selecting Childcare (General Characteristics), Dec. 2005

2%2%2%2%3%3%

4%4%

5%6%6%6%

7%7%

17%

21%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Staff Q

ualific

ation

s

Quality

Loca

tion

Reputa

tion

Cost

Program

ming

Child:A

dult R

atio

Hours

of Ope

ration

Trustw

orthin

ess

Safety

/ Sec

urity

Meals

/Nutr

ition

Cleanli

ness

Child i

s Hap

py

Bilingu

al

Don't K

now

Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: continuity of care (reliability) and personality. Personnel & Operations From the following list, please indicate the top three things that were most important to you, when selecting care for your child:

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Important Factors in Selecting Childcare (Programs & Operations), Dec. 2005

1%4%

9%

12%13%

18%

20%

24%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

NutritionalMeals

/Snacks

IndividualAttention

SocialInteractionof Children

Facilities(outdoorspace,

parks, etc.)

Cultural/Linguistic

Needs

Resources(toys,

games,books,etc.)

ExtraCurricularActivities

Don'tKnow

Fam

ilies

(%)


How would you rate your satisfaction with the variety of activities and programming offered by your present childcare provider?

• This provides a benchmark score for future improvement

• Similar to the satisfaction rating for overall care (page 15), a rating of 78% for activities & programming is a good accomplishment for the childcare network

5%9%

26%

52%

8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Fam

ilies

(%)

Not Satisfied Neutral Satisfied Very Satisfied Don't Know

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Present Level of Satisfaction with Childcare Activities & Programming

For those that are satisfied or very satisfied, could anything be added or changed that would further improve things?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Suggestions for Improving Childcare Activities & Programming, by Those Generally Satisfied With Their

Present Childcare Provider

60%

14%6% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 7%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Don't K

now

More A

ctivit

ies

More S

uperv

ision

/Work

ers

More Fun

ding

More Spa

ce

More E

duca

tiona

l Acti

vities

More Fren

ch

More K

idsOthe

r

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: updated resources & facilities, the cost, less extracurricular activities, television, open in the summer, less Government restrictions and better transportation.


For those that are not satisfied, what would you like to see added or changed?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Suggestions for Improving Childcare Activities & Programming, by Those not Satisfied With Their Present

Childcare Provider

17%17%

67%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

More Activities Les Extracurricular Activities Don't Know

Fam

ilies

(%)


Special Needs Have any of your children been identified as having special needs?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Children Identified as Having Special Needs, Dec. 2005

11%

87%

2%

Yes

No

Don't Know

Have you been able to get the childcare you need for this child or children?

• From a zero-tolerance perspective, 11% of parents with unmet childcare needs for their children with special needs, is 11% too high

• All the children with special needs, and their families, should be able to receive the services they require within Nipissing District

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Access to Services for Children with Special Needs, Dec. 2005

78%

11%

11%

Yes

No

Don't Know


Have you used either of the following Special Needs Resource Centres: Resource Teacher Program (Association for Community Living) or Stepping Stones Program in West Nipissing?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Special Needs Resource Centre Utilization, Dec. 2005

67%

33%

Yes

No

For those that have not used the centres, why is that?

• There is a need for increased outreach to parents with special needs children, within the district

• The two Special Needs Resource Centres (above) often have waiting lists – any increase in awareness will further increase the need for additional capacity

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons for not Using Special Needs Resource Centres

17%17%

67%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Not Aware of Them Would Not Apply (child's needsare physical)

Used Another Program(healthy baby, healthy mom)

Fam

ilies

(%)


FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRES Have you ever used the services of a Family Resource Centre?

• Half the parents don’t use Family Resource Centres

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Family Resource Centre Utilization,Dec. 2005

46%

52%

2%

Yes

No

Don't Know


Utilization of Family Resource Centres by Area

2%

51%

33% 44

%

57% 67

%

20% 31

%

50%

67%

47% 56

%

29% 33

%

100%

80%

69%

100%

100%

50%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

North B

ay

Bonfie

ld

East F

erris

North H

imsw

orth

Cache

Bay

Verner

Crystal

Falls /

Rive

r Vall

ey

Sturge

on Fall

s

Mattaw

a

Redbri

dge

Temag

ami

Fam

ilies

(%)

Have Used Services Have Not Used Services Don't Know


If so, which one?

• Of those who do use centres, the majority visit the Ontario Early Years Centre

• Most of the parents who do not use Family Resource Centres, indicate that they don’t have a need for their services

• 25% indicate that they have never heard of them

• The Family Resource Center’s may want to review their service alignment and community promotion strategies

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Family Resource Centres Used

Military Family Resource Centre,

3%

Family Enrichment, 4%

West Nipissing Resource Centre,

5%

Don't Know, 3%Other, 11%

Ontario Early Years Centre, 75%

If you have not used the services of a Family Resource Centre, why not?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Reasons For not Using a Family Resource Centre

6%

16%

27%

52%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

No Need for Services I Have Never Heard ofThem

Don't Know Other

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: location (there isn’t one in my area or it’s too far), operating hours don’t suit me and there is a waiting list.


CHLDCARE NEEDS & SUGGESTIONS Do you have any childcare needs that are not being met?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Childcare Needs Being Met or Not, Dec. 2005

9%

90%

1%

Yes

No

Don't Know

• From the District’s parents perspective, most of the overall childcare needs are presently being met -an excellent indicator for the childcare network

If yes, what needs are not being met?

• 26% of the parents with unmet childcare needs, stated a lack of subsidies and financial assistance as the main areas of need

• The 20% who stated lack of space as being the main area of need, presumably are on waiting lists for a select few childcare centres

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Unmet Childcare Needs

7%7%7%7%

13%13%13%13%

20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Lack

of S

pace

Lack

of Sub

sidies

Financ

ial A

ssist

ance

Evenin

g /Ove

rnigh

t Help

Lack

of Acti

vities

Licen

sed D

ayca

res do

not A

ccep

t Par.

..

Not Ope

n on S

tat. H

olida

ys an

d in .

..

No Wee

kend

Help

Don't K

now

Fam

ilies

(%)


Do you have any suggestions for improving the childcare system in Nipissing District? (all parents)

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Suggestions for Improving the District's Childcare System

60%

35%

5%

Have Suggestions Do Not Have Suggestions Don't Know What are these suggestions?

Nipissing District Parent Survey: Suggestions for Improving the District's Childcare System, Dec. 2005

7%

3%3%3%3%3%3%

6%

11%

11%12

%14%

19%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Advert

ise M

ore

Better

Subsid

ized S

ystem

More Spa

ces

Lower

the C

ost

Better

Traine

d Staf

f

More Sup

ervisio

n /Staf

f

More Priv

ate H

ome D

ayca

res

Superv

ise /M

onito

r Hom

e Day

care.

..

More Spe

cial N

eeds

Work

ers &

Sp..

.

More Fun

ding

More In

fant S

pace

s

Long

er Hou

rsOthe

r

Fam

ilies

(%)

Other includes: working families should get subsidized daycare, more activities, reduce waiting list, more bilingual services, less government involvement.


Parent Childcare Survey, Nipissing District, December 2005 ...publicationslist.org/data/d.plumstead/ref-11/Parent Childcare... · North Bay Bonfield East Ferris North Himsworth West

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