Quote Originally Posted by Valerie E. M-C View Post
I have called several of the other caregivers in my area and almost all have subsidy spots. Which leads me to believe this is a subsidy area. We plan on moving in a year or two, I am going to do lots of research to find an area where I can find lots of private clients.
Ok just to clarify ~ if you are calling other programs and the providers are saying they have SUBSIDY SPOTS does that not mean that they have OPENINGS in their programs because they cannot find clients to fill those subsidized spots cause that is how I would interpret that statement?

This is the issue here ~ there are lots of families who are 'eligible' for subsidy as per the criteria and are 'approved' for it but are on a 'waiting list' because there are just no new funds ~ they have to wait for someone currently ON subsidy to get off of it and free up $$ or for the government to choose to infuse NEW money into the system? I know there are lots of licensed centres and day homes with SPACE for those clients in my area because they work with agencies who do not allow you to take on 'private' clients.

Sadly in my city the system is CAPPED out with no new money to provide so those eligible clients are sitting on a 'waiting list' to actually GET subsidy and are either having to figure out how to pay FULL market fees in a licensed setting until it 'kicks in' or since they likely cannot AFFORD that which is why they are eligible for subsidy they are seeking a solution that is within their 'budget' such as a free family member helping out in a patchwork system or seeing a private home childcare program where the market value fees are much LESS than licensed care tends to be and than waiting for the call that there are now funds available to move them into a 'licensed' space.

I would definitely make sure I chose an agency that supports the provider taking on private clients so that you have control over being 'full or not' verse relying solely on them!