11 December 2007

Speech by Minister Dale D. Butler

The issue of day care has been brought to the attention of my Ministry over the past 12 months.

The cost is an added responsibility, particularly for young families hoping to save for their homes and retirement. That's why the Government has been working on a plan that will make day care free for all working families that need it.

We believe the number of families needing help in this regard is manageable when measured against the huge assistance it will provide for working class people across the country.

This brave initiative will relieve many parents of a heavy financial burden, allowing them to keep a strong foothold in their workplaces where less of their earnings will go to childcare and more of their earnings will go to savings. We will encourage those mothers and fathers to save that money for college educations, homeownership or other investments in their children's future.

There's a tangible benefit for the business community as well. Companies that provide child minder services to their employees at work will receive tax credits from the Government. We believe it will be an attractive incentive for the businesses in Bermuda to be a part of "the village."

Furthermore, this sort of progressive policymaking means mothers can return to work after their maternity leave, confident that their child is being properly cared for. In best case scenarios, we will use already established churches and domestic day care centres, so that young children are close to home when they are away from their parents. When the entire "village" plays a role in raising our children – our children are stronger, and so is our community.

We also believe that quality, caring and nurturing day care lays the proper foundation for a solid public school education. As you know our commitment to education is strong and a new policy for day care, in the pre-school years, will be part of that strategy.

We are striving toward this policy because during the Year of the Family parents have told us what their hardships are on a daily basis. From that information we have looked for ways to alleviate some of the burden.

That's why free day care is now part of the mandate for the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation. The work is underway in my Ministry, and indeed across government, to make this policy a reality. Bermudian families deserve it; and we can provide it.