Charlottetown child-care costs in middle of pack nationally

Child-care costs are up across the country and Charlottetown is right in the middle of the pack, according to a new report comparing the average cost in 27 cities across Canada.

A study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) compared the cost for three age groups: infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Parents in Charlottetown, according to the report, pay an average of $738 a month for an infant, $608 for a toddler, and $586 for a preschool child.

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Newfoundland had the highest cost of the Atlantic provinces, at $1,400 for an infant, $955 for a toddler and $857 for a preschooler.

Child-care fees were highest in Toronto across the board, withparents facing median costs of more than a $1,000 regardless of what age group their children fall in.

Quebec marks the other end of the spectrum, where governmentpolicies have capped child-care fees at $174 a month across all agegroups.

Child-care fees on the Island are regulated, as are Manitoba's, but they are capped at higher levels and differ by age group, said the report.

The CCPA also said some provinces have long waiting lists.

The group also recommends an affordable national child-care system.