Quebec announces funding for nine pilot drop-in daycare projects in various CEGEPs and universities in the province to meet the needs of student parents.
In Montreal, for example, drop-in daycare centers will be funded at UQAM, the University of Montreal and Concordia University.
Students from the chosen institutions will have access to these daycare centers for a limited period, on a part-time or full-time basis. They will be offered during one or more periods during the year, in particular on a seasonal basis or in blocks of hours, according to the needs of the parents. They will also be available on call to provide assistance to parents in the event of an emergency.
The Quebec government will invest $1.9 million over the next two years in these projects.
“I am very proud to see that the college and university network is embarking on this promising path in order to provide more inclusive environments for student families,” said Pascale Déry, Minister of Higher Education, on Friday.
“Accessibility to adapted childcare services is a priority for our government,” declared Suzane Roy, Minister of Families.
These projects in post-secondary institutions are based on community drop-in daycare models already in place elsewhere. Already, at the University of Montreal, the Halte-garderie Le Baluchon welcomes nearly thirty children per session.
“We are delighted with the announcement of these pilot projects,” declared Samy-Jane Tremblay, president of the Quebec Student Union. The next step for the Quebec Student Union is for these pilot projects to become permanent and for their funding to be sustainable. In 2023, everyone who wants to go to university should have access to it, regardless of whether that person has children. »