NO PARENTS would consider taking a child to work with them on a
construction site, yet every day children accompany their parents into
farm fields and barns.
Lack of child care in rural areas has led some families to reconsider
country life and some, lacking alternatives, take children into
potentially dangerous situations involving machinery or large animals.
The main hindrances to rural child care are distance, lack of suitable
facilities, lack of trained care providers and inflexible hours of
Read Also
Crop insurance’s ability to help producers has its limitations
Farmers enrolled in crop insurance can do just as well financially when they have a horrible crop or no crop at all, compared to when they have a below average crop
existing day-care facilities, particularly during farmers’ busy
seasons. Rural people also have difficulty accessing child care because
their assets may disqualify them from government subsidies.
Statistics consistently show that farming is one of the most dangerous
occupations. Like everyone else, farmers want their children to be
safe, and what’s safe for the child is usually safer for the parent in
terms of reduced distraction and greater peace of mind.
Relatives and neighbours may have provided child-care help in the past,
but today’s rural depopulation and scattered families limit that option.
Off-farm employment for one or both parents also influences child care.
Commutes to jobs may require an out-of-the-way trip to a day-care
centre or babysitter’s house. This can add stress and safety concerns,
especially when roads are treacherous in winter.
Families in rural areas need the same access to quality child care that
is available in urban areas. But how?
The community of Miami, Man., is a good example of how a community can
help rural families with the child-care issue. In 1997, it formed a
committee to investigate and confirm need. Then the rural municipality
gave a grant of $10,000, two building lots in town and a tax waiver.
The credit union provided a pre-approved mortgage. Provincial grants
and local fundraising helped raise more money.
The day care and nursery school opened two years ago and now nearby
communities are following the example.
The Miami experience proves rural communities can find solutions to
this important problem. They can start by identifying the size and
scope of the need. Then appropriate buildings can be found. If a new
building is required, formation of a co-operative is an option. Local
businesses and governments could offer loans, grants or tax incentives.
After all, helping maintain a safe and growing rural populace is in
their interests too.
Provincial and federal governments can contribute through grants for
building or renovation. Government should also reassess its rules and
consider whether farming parents should be assessed for subsidy on the
basis of net income, not total assets.
There is also a government role to play in providing adequate training
for care providers.
A healthy atmosphere in which to raise children is a common reason
people cite when moving into rural areas. Let’s make it true for all of
our children.
