About Neige Var
Once upon a time, Neige Var was an operating room nurse and downtown dweller who leisurely spent her time dining out or entertaining friends. The birth of her son changed all that. Now she's a snap-happy suburban mom on unpaid leave with a knack for organizing play dates. Check in with Neige as she continues to adjust to her new role, her new location and her new life.
I knew I would have to return to work, sooner or later. When my maternity leave came to an end, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma -- I had not found a daycare for Neelan.
I don’t know what it’s like in other provinces or even outside of Montreal, but here, it’s near impossible to get a spot in a daycare that receives government subvention, which puts the cost at a mere $7 a day.
In my quest for a spot in one of these elusive daycares, I found myself placing Neelan’s name on countless waiting-lists and being told to “call back in a couple of months to keep his spot.” At a four-weeks pregnant, I put Neelan’s name on the daycare list at my work when! It may sound a tad bit zealous, but the average wait-time for a spot there, as well as elsewhere, is approximately two to three years.
In Quebec, I find the whole system rather confusing. There are CPEs (centre de la petite enfance/childcare centers), home childcare services and daycare centers. I have tried to get information on what makes a CPE different from a daycare center, and have not been very lucky. There is also an online system that allows you to add your child’s name to a number of childcare centers’ waiting lists. Needless to say, I have used the site, but found it to be nothing more than a fantastic directory of subsidized daycares.
After dealing with this system for almost two years, I am downtrodden, disheartened, bitter, angry and frustrated beyond words. I know of many people who manage to get their kids (same age as Neelan) into these spots because of a connection of one kind or another, and even though I am happy for them, I am sad because I have to deal with such a system.
We have been very lucky that my work benefits allow for a full year of unpaid leave after maternity leave. I have been able to continue staying at home with Neelan, which I truly love, and give us time to find a daycare that will be the best fit for him. We have had to look and consider private, non-subsidized daycares, but they too have waiting lists, albeit shorter ones.
So I continue my quest and hope that I will be granted a spot. Hopefully soon, because I am planning to return to work in September!
