Richard Froese
Spotlight
More affordable childcare spaces will open up under a plan in partnership with the provincial and federal governments.
Funding will be provided for up to 78 early learning and childcare centres to offer service for $25 a day, says a news release.
The expansion of the pilot program will create an additional 4,500 affordable child care spaces.
“Child care in Alberta is far too expensive for families, and that’s exactly why our government is taking action to make affordable, quality child care more accessible,” says Children’s Services Minister Danielle Larivee, MLA for the local Lesser Slave Lake.
“Our work with the Government of Canada and childcare professionals in Alberta is the next step towards making life better for families with universal, affordable, quality child care in Alberta.”
Alberta’s 22 existing early learning and childcare centres are making life more affordable for families across the province.
With this second round of applications, the government hopes to see a total of up to 100 centres in communities throughout Alberta.
In June 2017, Alberta signed a Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework with federal, provincial and territorial partners.
The expansion of the early learning and childcare centres is based on this foundation of federal investment in affordable child care across Canada.
“The Imagine Early Learning and Child Care Centre is thrilled to provide affordable, quality and accessible child care programming to families in our community,” says program director Lea Blust.
“During our first few months of operation, we’ve watched children thrive and been able to support parents and families access resources they need to be successful.”
Non-profit organizations or those interested in becoming non-profit childcare providers have until Jan. 31, 2018 to apply for a three-year operating grant.