Abstract

Consequent to Quebec's' 1997 reform is affordable day care. It would seem that day care easily afforded would support parental accessibility. However high parent demand combined with an insufficient supply of affordable day care spaces has had the opposite effect since access is uncertain even when parents plan-ahead for access. This exploratory work places particular emphasis upon the problem of differential access since today socio-economically-vulnerable families in Quebec are least likely to acquire access to day care. Through interviews with day care directors, parents, and CLSC workers, and the examination of government documentation and secondary sources I explore the capacity of the day care system to support family access to day care, and the role that community plays in enabling access for economically challenged families. I also reveal how the uncertainty of access impacts families generally, but particularly those who are economically challenged and without alternative child care options. Despite these obstacles to access, my research discovers how the reform's affordable day care has reshaped parent demand for day care