Québec, December 6, 2022. – In 2021, about 72% of children of preschool age attended a childcare setting on a regular basis. What type of childcare setting is most commonly used in Québec? What’s the process like for parents in search of a first childcare setting? What about the use of La Place 0-5? These are a few of the questions that are answered in the report on the Québec Study on the Accessibility and Use of Childcare Services 2021 released by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
What types of childcare settings are used in Québec?
Most children in childcare in Québec attend either a childcare centre (CPE) (35%), a non-subsidized daycare (20%), a subsidized home childcare (18%), or a subsidized daycare (16%). In total, 88% of children in childcare attend a childcare setting recognized by the Ministère de la Famille.
Type of childcare setting attended, children of preschool age in childcare, Québec, 2021
* Coefficient of variation between 15% and 25%; interpret with caution.
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Québec Study on the Accessibility and Use of Childcare Services 2021..
How many hours do Québec children spend in childcare on average?
Nearly 90% of children in childcare attend their childcare setting full time (five days a week). The majority of children (72%) spend less than 9 hours a day on average in childcare, while over a quarter of them (28%) spend 9 or more hours in childcare.
High level of satisfaction with childcare services
The parents of the vast majority of children who attend a childcare setting are satisfied with the services provided: on a scale of 0 to 10, meaning “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied,” 88% reported a level of satisfaction between 8 and 10.
The main improvements that the parents of children in childcare would like to see include lower rates (12%), fewer personnel changes (9%), more educational activities (9%), and a setting open year-round, without interruption (7%).
The search for a first childcare setting
In 2021, the parents of 80% of children were looking or had already looked for a first childcare setting, while the parents of 14% of children had found one without searching, mainly because a space was available in the childcare setting attended by another child in the family. Among children whose parents searched for a first childcare setting:
- 47% had parents who found the search for a childcare setting “fairly difficult” or “very difficult.” Among these, 89% had parents who were affected by the shortage of spaces.
- 97% of children whose parents completed their search found a childcare setting.
- 65% of children in childcare started attending their childcare setting on the date desired by their parents, 17% started more than a month earlier, and 18% started more than a month later.
Knowledge of La Place 0-5
At the time of the study, the parents of 91% of children knew about La Place 0-5, and 79% of children were registered on the site. Of these children, 62% had been registered before they were born.
Read the full report (PDF, 3,17 Mo)
About the study
The Québec Study on the Accessibility and Use of Childcare Services 2021 (QSAUCS) was conducted among the parents of 13,138 children on behalf of the Ministère de la famille. It covers various topics related to the non-parental care of children under the age of five as of September 30, 2020, meaning children of preschool age.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.