Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the provincial government of B.C. and copied to The Squamish Chief.
About a year ago, I reached out to express my concerns about child care services in Squamish, marking it as a child care crisis. Now, a year later, having left Squamish, I reflect on the challenges that compelled my decision.
Life in Squamish is undoubtedly tough, not only for those earning an average salary or below but also for those with an income above $100,000. The cost of child care, even with subsidies, poses a significant challenge. Private nanny services, if available, come at a high cost, leading to monthly expenses that can climb up to $10,000 to $15,000, including groceries and mortgage payments.
Having experienced job loss and struggling to secure daycare, I had to rely on a nanny, making it a challenging situation. Squamish is often touted as a child-friendly community, but is it truly so?
While the maternity support groups, like HPOP and Strong Start, are commendable, challenges arise when returning to work after the first year of maternity leave. The options for child support, either through child care centres or nanny services, become crucial. Unfortunately, the lack of activities in the second half of the day poses a significant challenge for stay-at-home parents.
Squamish, with its abundance of nature, faces limitations during rainy and winter days when outdoor activities become less viable. This limits options for families, especially during the extended winter period. The lack of accessible activities for children during inclement weather adds to the challenges faced by families.
Moreover, the inability to find adequate child care support hampers parents’ ability to return to work, affecting family income and impacting the well-being of the child. The high cost of living, including expensive food, bills, and gas, adds to the overall challenges faced by families in Squamish.
While Squamish offers a great environment for maternity leave, with its community, services, and outdoor spaces, the challenges beyond that phase contribute to a difficult and, at times, miserable life. Despite calling Squamish my home and feeling connected to its nature and community, the decision to leave was made with a heavy heart, considering the life quality and future prospects for my child.
I share these concerns not as a critique but as a reflection of my experience and a hope for positive changes in the future. Squamish has immense potential, and addressing these challenges could contribute to making it an even more vibrant and welcoming community for families.
Marina Zub
Seattle
