Manning & District Child Care Needs Assessment 2016 This survey was implemented by Manning and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and Manning Regional Child Care Association (MRCCA) to gather information regarding current and future child care needs for families in our community and to share information regarding services and programming in our area. 110 families responded to the survey (from Keg River, Manning, North Star, Deadwood & Dixonville)

Ages of Our Area's Children

49%

currently require childcare

70%

will need childcare in the next 5 years

Although only 49% of respondents stated they presently needed childcare, 70% said they will or possible would require child care in the next 5 years. This, along with the high number of children ages 1-8 years shows a trend towards needing more child care options in our community.

78%

know there is a childcare subsidy available for households with an income of less that $50,000

91%

feel a full-time day care would be beneficial to our community

84%

knew there are interventions available for preschool children if there are concerns regarding speech or occupational therapy

84%

said that child care affects their ability to work

When asked what types of child care are being used, the majority of our respondents chose more than one as many of our child care options are based on certain days/times.

One family responded that they are currently using 6 types of care in order to meet their needs.

*including PD Days

Based on the responses, families are looking for occasional/drop in and part time options. This may be due to the fact that there is a higher number of family and non-family members that are offering care certain days of the week. When asked what type of child care they would prefer, respondents stated their first choice would be full time day care (33%) with private arrangements as their second choice (27%). The other forms of child care (full time/part time day home, and part time day care were ranked relatively the same between 1214%).

Where do Kindergarten-Grade 6 kids go after school? According to our respondents, there is a very high number of children in the elementary school age group (ages 5-12), yet a relatively small number using the Out of School Care Program (which caters to that age group). This could be due to the number of other options that are available to them after school including:

43

go home to an adult family member

13

go home with an older sibling

18

go to an after-school activity

9

go to a family member's home

8

go to MRCCA's Out of School Care Program

5

go home to a non-family caregiver

go to a non-family member's home

5

go home alone

4

MRCCA's Out of School Care Out of School Care (OOSC) is a great place for children ages 4.5-12 years old to go before and after school. Here are the top 3 benefits of Out of School Care from our survey:

1

22%

Of respondents are currently using or have used the Out of School Care in the past (for children ages 4.5-12 years)

Somewhere safe and fun for their child to go (77)

2

Children are picked up at school by the OOSC staff (71)

3

Children make new friends (66)

As you can see from the above chart, there are many programs and agencies offered in the Dixonville to Keg River area. Of them, the top 3 used are Mini-Gym (offered during the school year), Alberta Health Service's Tiny Teeth Program and the Love n' Shine Playgroup (offered during the school year). Although the majority of the programs/agencies have been used, our respondents also let us know why they aren't or wouldn't use them.

Doesn't include my other children/whole family - 7%

Too expensive - 5%

Programs are full or there is a wait list - 27%

Too busy - 20%

Why are families NOT using programs/services in our community? Don't know what is available - 23%

Times offered do not work for them - 28%

Not interested/Did not enjoy ones we have tried - 7%

Top 3 Wishes for Our Community We asked respondents to tell us their top 3 wishes for our community when it comes to child care and programming for children. Here are their choices and suggestions:

1

DAYCARE

Full time More space for more children Longer hours Not dependent on school year

2 PRESCHOOL 3

INDOOR POOL/ MULTIPLEX

More spaces for more children

Swimming lessons year round

No waiting list

Swimming lessons during school

3 hours twice a week instead of 2 3 days a week instead of 2

Available for Easter / summer vacation

Prekindergarten instead of Play School

Affordable

Continued Play School

Indoor playground Recreational centre with activities from babies to adult

Monthly not hourly Available for part-time use Available for drop-in use

Based on the information gathered, changes have been made to programs in order to accommodate the needs of our families: Sunshine Playschool Hours have been increased by 30 minutes for both morning and afternoon classes. Additional staff has been hired in order to accommodate more children in the morning classes.

Out of School Care Modifications have been made to the Out of School Care Program, including a new booking incentive for the 2016-2017 school year.

Information from this survey will continue to be utilized while planning for current and future child care needs.