Alberta is implementing a new child care funding formula that will establish a flat rate of $15 per day for children in kindergarten or younger, beginning April 1st. The program aims to increase funding for providers, address rising costs, and create a more equitable and transparent system.
Alberta 's government is implementing a new child-care funding formula aimed at establishing a $15 per day flat rate for children in kindergarten or younger. Beginning April 1st, approximately 85 percent of providers will experience a funding increase of two percent or more to help mitigate rising costs. (Pascal Raiche-Nogue/CBC Radio-Canada)\ Alberta 's government is replacing its existing child-care subsidy program with a $15-per-day flat rate for children in kindergarten or younger.
Jobs, Economy and Trade Minister Matt Jones explained that while the average daily cost reached $15 in January, fees fluctuate depending on the provider and their location within the province. 'In Calgary, we have providers charging drastically different fees for children of the same age, which is confusing for parents, and providers have also expressed concerns about equitable funding,' Jones stated on Thursday. Starting April 1st, minimum and maximum fee ranges for providers will be established based on region. The subsidy for children attending out-of-school care will remain unchanged.\Jones emphasized that the flat fee aims to create a more equitable, transparent, and simplified system, allowing providers to dedicate less time and resources to paperwork. This initiative aligns with the federal government's $3.8-billion effort to reduce average childcare fees in Canada to $10 per day by 2026. Jones asserted that the Alberta government believes there should be a nominal cost associated with childcare spaces to ensure their appropriate utilization. 'We've heard from parents and providers that individuals are enrolling in spaces they don't need because they are so inexpensive or free,' he said. 'There are thousands of children accessing a service that costs upwards of $18,000 for zero dollars today,' he added. For full-time attendees, the flat fee would amount to $326.25 per month, or roughly $15 per day, while parents requiring part-time care would pay $230 per month. Approximately 85 percent of providers are expected to receive a funding increase of two percent or more to address rising costs. 'The funding framework is designed to support the viability and sustainability of the vast majority of child-care providers and more closely mirror the actual cost of delivering child care in that region,' Jones stated.\Krystal Churcher, chair of the Association of Alberta Childcare Entrepreneurs, expressed disappointment that operators were not provided with details prior to Thursday's announcement. 'Operators are now facing all these questions and anxiety and panic from parents where they don't have the ability to answer them, because they haven't been included in the conversation with the ministry yet,' she said. Churcher noted that without a thorough understanding of the program, she couldn't definitively assess its positive or negative aspects. Her association has advocated for parents to receive funding directly. 'The way this program is rolling out federally, it does not respect parental choice. It forces parents into a system where they get to pick from one option,' she stated, adding that the system has contributed to an accessibility crisis.\The province has pledged to the federal goal of creating 68,700 child-care spaces by March 2026, with 42,500 spaces mandated to be public or non-profit. Jones indicated that Alberta has already created 31,000 new spaces and is tripling its annual contribution to $720 million from $250 million. Instead of a flat monthly parent fee, Alberta's government is increasing reimbursement for preschools to $100 per month per child, up from $75. Non-profit and public child-care providers can now apply online for grants under a $53-million program to assist in building, expanding, or upgrading child-care spaces
CHILDCARE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT FUNDING FLAT RATE COST PROVIDER PARENT
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