Research Snapshot: A Profile of Young Children in Canada Who Aren’t in Childcare

Key findings from a study on non-use of childcare among families in Canada

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Previous research has tended to focus on childcare use, that is, on families and children in childcare. Thus, little is known about the population of children not in childcare.

This study aimed to explore the unmet needs of this population by analyzing parental reasons for not using childcare, and creating profiles of childcare non-use based on parents’ main reasons.

This research builds on our growing understanding of the Family Work component of the Vanier Institute’s Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework.

Lavergne, K. J. (2025, February 10). Why are young children not in child care? Typologies of child care non-use among Canadian children under six years. Canadian Public Policy, 51(1), 35–60. https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2023-065