THROUGH THE LENS:

Mother and Son
Anonymous 

These vases represent me and my son. Always together facing the challenges in a new country. I became a childcare advocate because childcare was one of the most difficult things I had to navigate as a newcomer. The high fees, lack of culturally sensitive staff, and long waitlist made an impact on my life forever. Despite my hope of finding the ideal childcare for my son, I never did.

Sanitizer Armor: the Forgotten Faces of the Pandemic
Anonymous 

This picture reminds me of the first months of the pandemic when I was working at a daycare. I was so anxious, stressed, and scared of getting COVID-19 and bringing it home. I also felt so lonely locked down at home. The risks and uncertainties I dealt with during that time to earn minimum wage were extremely challenging.

Our Footsteps
Margaret Wanyoike

These are my daughter’s and my footsteps. As a new refugee, I looked forward to joyful days in this new country. Sadly, when looking for childcare, I faced discrimination for being a Black immigrant woman unable to pay the high fees. These footsteps remind me of our beginnings and how much I’ve changed. I am no longer afraid to speak up and ensure our voices are heard. Our children should have the same rights.

One Step at a Time
Grace Ucwii 

When I arrived in Canada in 2011, I remember a childcare center near our house. When my six-year-old boy and a year-old girl saw the kids playing there, they cried to go and play with them. I went in to ask for the fees and to my surprise found it was $1300 a month per child.  At that time we were  on welfare and had  no  jobs. Our fridge  was always  empty and we were living on expired foods from  the  food  bank. I felt like a failure. Life is like stairs on a playground… it goes down and up! I feel hopeful that I’m climbing the steps of life one step at a time. 

Building a Bridge for the ChildCare Workforce
Amandeep Kaur

Did you know LEGO is an abbreviation for the Danish words “leg godt”? They mean “play well”. When I see children at my workplace playing with Legos; I wonder how we can build a strong bridge for immigrant women to become Early Childhood Educators. Us, immigrants, spend thousands of dollars to get an education. Sometimes it feels like the system doesn’t want to recognize our education and skills. This is our opportunity to “play well” in building the blocks for this bridge.

The Journey of an ECE
Khadijeh Mohammad

During my ECEA practicum, I remember being amazed by the childcare workers’ skills. Some of them managed almost 16 children by themselves. Their professionalism and patience inspired me to finish my training to start working with them as soon as possible. On my first day of work, there was a lot of noise, crying, screaming, and even fights between the children. Five of my colleagues and I handled the hectic environment quickly, but it was challenging. Thinking back to my practicum, I don’t know how they dealt with the stress. 

I Need Childcare
Maryam 

My name is Nelly and I’m three years old. My mom has multiple sclerosis (MS) which makes it hard for her to care for me and my brother. My brother also has a disability that requires a lot of attention. I really want to go to daycare to help my dad and mom, but sadly I have been on the waiting list for more than a year. My father works hard but that isn’t enough to hire someone to help my mom. I wish I had the same opportunity as other children to go to childcare. 

Inclusion Means Feeling Safe
Anonymous 

My child’s best friend is a local Canadian girl. Children have no prejudice and discrimination. They play together regardless of hair color, skin color or language difference. I am a friendly and open-minded person with a lot of friends everywhere in my home country, but I haven’t had a single friend here for almost a year and face challenges to build true friendships until today.

Creativity is Our New Home
Anonymous 

Our life in Canada started by searching for a place to call home. This wasn’t an easy task as a single-income household, high-rental prices, and expensive childcare.  I have had to give up so many things to have a roof over our heads. By decorating our empty walls with her smile, and even cutting her food into tiny pieces to make our plates look fuller—my daughter has taught me that creativity is our new home.

Words are Powerful
Irandokht Pazooki

I am a childcare worker. This is my brother and me in Iran when we were young. My mom told me, you should always take care of your brother. After 15 years, my brother finally joined me in Canada. He didn’t recognize me. When I said: “I’m your sister”, he started screaming from joy “She is my sister, she is my sister”. Government policies separated us, but my mother’s words kept us connected forever. Working with children has taught me the power of words and how they can stay so close to you forever.

Nature Embraced Me
Asma Insaf 

Nature embraced me with love and hope whenever I felt alone and disappointed. I love sitting on this big rock and watching my kids playing in the forest near my home. Tall trees listen to us, cover us from rain or shine. When I came to Canada four years ago, I didn’t know anything about the childcare system. Now, I am thankful for having more friendly faces around me, helping me, listening to me, and guiding me and my family in this journey– just like these big trees. 

Waiting is Hard
Nargis Jelali

It was a late autumn day with bright orange leaves scattered all over the place. Sara, my four-year-old daughter, noticed some girls going to childcare. She started crying and asking why she couldn’t go.  At that moment, my tears started flowing and I felt so sorry for her. Sara is full of life, energy, and desire to learn. I wish Sara had a fair start instead of being on the waitlist for more than 3 years now. 

The Beauty of Diversity
Anonymous

My daughter, Sali, suddenly decided to wear the hijab. I worried a lot if she would be accepted or bullied. What if she suffered so deeply that we all got into deep depression? I barely slept that night. The next morning, she was so excited, and her smile filled the family with positivity. Sali’s teacher was aware of the Muslim religion; she welcomed Sali with a big smile. She even asked all the children to welcome her wearing the new fashionable outfit. Sali’s self-confidence jumped up to the mountains. I still proudly remember what she said that night: “Happiness makes women prettier!” 

The Childcare Puzzle
Anonymous 

It’s been six years since I’ve arrived in Canada. I was full of energy and hopeful to get my dream job as a system analyst. The lack of childcare spaces and long waiting lists are an obstacle to my dream. Women are powerful but without childcare support they can’t reach their goals. In the meantime, I keep dreaming that one day this childcare puzzle will be solved.

Dream Job
Nazafa Jelali 

It takes courage to study at an older age. I grew up taking care of my 10 siblings and I loved it. After having my baby-sitting business, I started dreaming about becoming an Early Childhood Educator. I am excited to begin my studies next month and to be able to work full-time with children.

Plant me Again
Amandeep Kaur 

We took this picture during an outdoor trip with the kids. My colleague and I were printing them together. She stopped me, pointed at the roots, and said: “This is me; broken, shattered, and away from my home with the hope of being planted again.” Complete silence covered the room. She managed to hide her tears, but I couldn’t. Last year after returning from Iran due to an emergency, she lost her job as a permanent daycare staff. Now she is a casual childcare worker with no benefits. I felt powerless.