Hat daycares included in $25/day program
Four locations in Medicine Hat among the 82 announced across Alberta by the NDP government, effective May 1
Four daycares in Medicine Hat are among 82 in the province that will begin offering $25-per-day services on May 1 as part of a provincial program to expand affordable childcare, it was announced Wednesday.
The savings for working parents in the city could add up to $1 million per year considering all 225 spaces in local facilities.
Two local YMCA run centres — the John Miller and Crescent Heights child development centres — as well as Mother Nature’s Preschool and Pitter Patter Child Development, are among 82 centres that were announced at a morning press conference in Edmonton.
“We’re investing in Albertans, even the little ones,” said Premier Rachel Notley.
Lower pricing for parents or gaurdians with children in three local facilities will begin next Tuesday, and will be a tremendous help for parents who could save up to $4,500 per child per year, say local administrators.
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled,” Sherri Chichen ko, operator of Mother Nature’s Preschool at Elm Street School, said Wednesday.
“It’s great news for all our families in this economy.”
Notices went home with children Wednesday afternoon explaining the changes beginning on May 1, when fees that range from $800 to $900 per month for full-time childcare will fall to about $525 for a standard month of 21 working days.
Those who already have lower-income subsidies will also see that applied to the new rate.
“We’re very excited,” said Sharon Hayward of the YMCA. “It helps us meet our mission of providing high quality and affordable childcare ... It will have a big impact on families with lower incomes for sure.”
Children enrolled at the facilities as of May 1 will have fees reduced, and most of the 225 spaces in Medicine Hat involved in the announcement are already filled.
Clients of Pitter Patter will have to wait until the business reorganizes as a non-profit entity — a requirement of taking part in the program — which will likely occur in September.
Operator Debbie Dunn said the change means a new partnership with Saamis Immigration, the addition of infant care and wage support for her employees.
“With the direction of childcare (sector), it’s not really affordable anymore,” said Dunn. “We thought if this is the new direction, we’d jump on it and apply.”
The four were among 82 centres named across the province, bringing the total number to 122, including those in a pilot announced last year. These are the first in Medicine Hat.
The new round would create 6,000 spaces at the lower rate in Alberta, leading to an additional 400 child care jobs, according to officials.
The Canadian Press reports that the expansion is a joint program with the federal government, which is providing $136 million over three years while Alberta contributes almost $15 million.
Premier Rachel Notley said the major expansion is key for helping working families and supports women in the economy.
“It’s a major step towards working toward universal $25-per-day childcare in this province,” she said, citing average savings across Alberta at $425 per month per child.
A family of four in which both parents must work, said Notley, faces the equivalent of a second mortgage payment each month.
That means some people simply can’t afford to work, she said, or turn down work for economic reasons.
“People should not have to choose between their children and their careers,” she said.
The announcement grows on a pilot program that awarded initial spaces based on regional vacancy rates and other factors. None were located in Medicine Hat and only one in Lethbridge among deep south communities.
This week’s announcement also includes the Taber Child Care Centre and four facilities in Lethbridge.
Children Services Minister Danielle Larivee said the results of the pilot are still being researched “for what it looks like in different communities,” and the results will be fully examined at the one-year stage this autumn.
Notley said further expansion is “the No.1 priority” for her government as the province’s finances improve.
“It’s singularly the best way to grow the economy,” she said. “We’re trying to significantly raise the quality of care that’s available across the province.”