Overview

In 2016, Probe Research took a 360-degree look at child care in Manitoba – the most in-depth public opinion research on the issue in recent memory.

What We Did

  • Probe surveyed:

  • Parents. More than 3,100 Manitoba parents with children in child care completed the survey about wait times, child care costs, educational priorities and policy options.
  • The workforce, including centre directors, early childhood educators and family child care providers. A total of 600 Early Childhood Educators (MCCA members) completed the online survey about their pay and working conditions and potential policy changes.
  • Business leaders – 200 C-suite executives and business owners to understand how child care affects worker productivity and flexibility.
  • The general public. Probe surveyed 1,000 Manitobans to gauge support for key child care system reforms.

Outcomes

The insights into the needs, experiences and preferences of nearly everyone touched by child care helped bolster the MCCA’s advocacy work on behalf of parents, kids and educators. Probe Research also helped the MCCA make the project public using infographics that clearly and colourfully conveyed the results to a wide range of audiences.