Children with long-term conditions or disabilities: Why some are not in non-parental child care - Statistics Canada Economic and Social Reports

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Using data from the 2023 Survey on Early Learning and Child Care Arrangements–Children with LongTerm Conditions or Disabilities, this study identifies potential barriers to participating in child care among children with long-term conditions or disabilities who do not regularly attend non-parental child care. Compared with child care users, non-users are less likely to have parents in paid work, higher education, and two-parent family structures. Parents seeking care report more difficulty finding affordable child care, subsidized options, and care that meets children’s needs due to disability or chronic illness. In 2023, availability and affordability remain key barriers for non-users whose parents looked for child care.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Policy context for early learning and child care

Inclusivity of ELCC and data challenges

Role of the 2023 SELCCA-CLCD survey

Abstract

Study aim and data source

Key comparisons between users and non-users

Reported barriers and reasons for non-use

Catalogue no. 36-28-0001 ISSN 2563-8955 Economic and Social Reports Children with long-term conditions or disabilities: Why some are not in non-parental child care by Allison Leanage and Rubab Arim Release date: June 25, 2025 How to obtain more information For information about this product or the wide range of services and data available from Statistics Canada, visit our website, [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca). You can also contact us by Email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca Telephone, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , at the following numbers: • Statistical Information Service 1-800-263-1136 • National telecommunications device for the hearing impaired 1-800-363-7629 • Fax line 1-514-283-9350 Standards of service to the public Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients. To obtain a copy of these service standards, please contact Statistics Canada toll-free at 1-800-263-1136. The service standards are also published on [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca)[ ](www.statcan.gc.ca)[under](under) “Contact us” > “Standards of service to the public.” Note of appreciation Canada owes the success of its statistical system to along-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill. Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025 Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement. An HTML version is also available. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. Children with long-term conditions or disabilities: Why some are not in non-parental child care by Allison Leanage and Rubab Arim DOI: [https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202500600002-eng](https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202500600002-eng) Abstract Using data from the 2023 Survey on Early Learning and Child Care Arrangements–Children with LongTerm Conditions or Disabilities, this study aimed to identify potential barriers to participating in child care among children with long-term conditions or disabilities who do not regularly attend non-parental childcare. Compared with child care users, non-users were less likely to have parents with a paid job or business (38% of non-users vs. 77% of users), less likely to have parents with a bachelor’s degree or higher (32% of non-users vs. 46% of users), and less likely to live in two-parent families (78% of nonusers vs. 84% of users) . Parents of non-users who looked for child care were more likely than those of child care users to report difficulty finding affordable child care (54% of non-users whose parents looked for care vs. 39% of users), subsidized child care (43% vs. 32%), and care that meets their child’s needs because of disability or chronic illness (29% vs. 12%) . While the most frequently reported reason for not using child care varied by whether parents were seeking child care, a shortage of places or waitlists (34%) was the most frequently reported reason for not using child care among non-users whose parents looked for child care. Overall, in 2023, availability and affordability remained as potential barriers to participating in child care among children with long-term conditions or disabilities whose parents looked for child care. Authors Allison Leanage and Rubab Arim are with the Health Analysis and Modelling Division, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch, at Statistics Canada. This work was completed while the authors were in the Social Analysis and Modelling Division. Acknowledgments This study was funded by the Federal Secretariat on Early L

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study?

The study aims to identify barriers to participating in non-parental child care for children with long-term conditions or disabilities who do not regularly attend.

How do non-users differ from child care users?

Non-users are less likely to have parents with paid jobs or businesses, less likely to have parents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and less likely to live in two-parent families.

What barriers are most frequently reported for non-users whose parents looked for care?

A shortage of places or waitlists is the most frequently reported reason, and affordability and availability remain potential barriers in 2023.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai