Child-care spaces to grow in area

The number of $25-per-day child-care spaces in Lethbridge will increase dramatically this fall, following a series of announcements by the provincial government.

Launched a year ago with 20 spaces in Lethbridge, the support program will grow to provide 272 spaces by September.

Three more southern Alberta communities will gain provincially subsidized programs as well.

They’re among 6,000 childcare spaces province-wide, announced this week by Premier Rachel Notley and Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services.

While $25 per day is the maximum fee, officials point out low-income families may pay less.

The Opokaa’sin Child Development Centre on Stafford Drive North, the first in Lethbridge to take part in the program, will be funded for 53 spaces. As announced Wednesday, the Lethbridge YMCA was successful in proposing a new 82-space facility, in renovated space in the Lethbridge Centre.

Also included in the government’s list of approvals were 57 spaces in The Children’s House on 4 Avenue South, east of the downtown core, and 80 spaces at the Agape Learning Centre on Highway 3 east.

Reduced rates will take effect by May or June for families with children in the three existing centres.

Also included in the Children’s Services announcement was support for 20 spaces at the Canyon School Day Care in Pincher Creek, 50 spaces for the Taber Child Care program and 36 spaces for the Vulcan Day Care.