Making child care more affordable for families
Alberta’s government is reducing fees for parents with kids aged zero to kindergarten in licensed daycares, preschools and family day homes.
Parents will see fees reduced by half, on average, by early 2022, with families most in need receiving additional subsidy. By 2026, families will be paying an average of $10 per day per child.
Beginning in January 2022, the government will reduce fees for more families by offering:
Subsidies for families earning under $180,000. Parents can apply online starting in the new year.
New operating grants for facility-based child-care programs starting in mid-January 2022. This will help providers lower fees for parents without shouldering extra costs.
“These investments will make a big difference for families, but we know that this targeted approach will also actually make sure dollars go to parents and kids who need it and really have an impact on economic recovery.”
— Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services
“I’m a mom of a three year old with another one on the way. I was so excited when I heard about this plan because it means that I can use the money that I would have spent on child care in different ways, such as saving for my children’s future.”
— Myllissa Scutchings, Alberta parent
“My triplets are three and a half, and I work full-time. More affordable, high-quality child care will be hugely beneficial for my family now and into the future. I’m also grateful that this plan includes private and non-profit programs, because it means my kids can stay in the program that they love while my family still receives this new support.”
— Aicha Camara, Alberta parent
Both the operating grants and subsidy will go to the provider who will then reduce fees for parents. The subsidy is layered in addition to the operating grant to make sure parents who need it most see greater benefits.
For example, a family earning $75,000 per year with one toddler attending a daycare program would be eligible for full subsidy. If the current fees are $1,000 per month, the daycare program will receive $510 per month in an operating grant and the family would be eligible for $266 per month. The remaining parent portion will be $224 per month or approximately $10 per day.
A family earning $130,000 per year with an infant attending a daycare program would be eligible for partial subsidy. If the current fees are $1,200 per month, the program will receive $635 per month in an operating grant and the family would be eligible for $226 per month in subsidy. The remaining parent portion is $339 per month or $15.60 per day.
These numbers are for licensed spaces in child-care facilities and preschools. Government is working with family day homes and family day home agencies to finalize the grants and subsidy levels for day home providers and parents in the coming weeks, but they are expected to roll out in mid-January as well.
Starting in spring 2022, the Alberta government will be making licensed child care more accessible by increasing the number of spaces to meet the anticipated demand. This includes adding spaces in locations with limited or no access to child care and making sure spaces are also available for underserved and vulnerable populations.
For more information, please visit alberta.ca/ChildCareDeal.
Quick facts
$3.8 billion will be invested in child care for children kindergarten age and younger over the next five years:
$2.865 billion to lower child-care fees for Alberta parents
$240.64 million to increase the number of child-care spaces
$202.6 million to develop and fund child-care options to support vulnerable and diverse populations as well as children with extra needs
$306.16 million to support licensed programs and certified educators in offering high-quality support for families in their communities
At least 42,500 new licensed child-care spaces will be created over the next five years.