The Alberta Rural Child Care Pilot Project

              CONCLUSIONS
Because of the interest shown in this
project, the high number of requests for
applications, and the number of actual
projects implemented we feel assured
that Alberta farm families are ready to
invest in a child care system.
Their responses, also demonstrate once
again, the desperate need for farm child
care. Some heartbreaking stories were
brought to our attention.
Rural child care needs are different than
those of urban families. The needs, in
fact, vary from farm to farm and
between areas in the Province. The
mother who has several close neighbors
with small children should have no
difficulty in finding friends sympathetic
to her cause. Families who live near a
town or village should be able to set up
a central drop off, but the only young
family in an isolated area may have no
resources at all.
This project has demonstrated that rural
child care is difficult but not impossible,
less costly than expected, and beneficial
to parents, children, care givers and the
farm operation. Our participants have
demonstrated innovation, ingenuity and
resourcefulness. In many cases the
participating parents have grown in
confidence, and in organizational and
communication skills that will enable
them to address the situation even after
the project ends. We have no way of
knowing whether the project saved the
lives of any children but we know that
many children were happier and safer
because of it.
An unexpected but very gratifying
benefit has been the parents's great
appreciation for the emotional and
social support found within the
organized groups.
While project types will vary depending
upon the differences in geography and
population some factors will have to
remain constant. The projects that
flourished were those with strong
leadership, committed participants, a
generous list of care givers, accessibility,
and a realistic budget. Because needs
are seasonal the input level will
fluctuate but the infrastructure should
remain in place year round. Our most
viable projects also radiated into other
areas, e. g. safety workshops, farm
equipment clinics, parenting clinics,
study groups, and social interaction.
The support of interagencies such as
FCSS and DHEs can be valuable.
Established Farm Women's groups
should be prepared to offer their
support and encouragement.
Many participants expressed opinions
regarding child care tax credits being
made available to farm families below a
certain income, or " make looking after
children and household work so it
would be tax deductible the same way a
hired man would be." Especially in
isolated areas the only way to have
dependable care givers is to have ' live-in"
during peak periods and without
some tax break this is more than most
farm families can afford.