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By David Opinko

Province details child care subsidies, cutting fees in half, starting Jan. 2022

Nov 26, 2021 | 1:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Government is progressing towards the goal of providing $10 per day child care by 2026.

Earlier this month, the provincial and federal governments announced a landmark deal for Alberta with Ottawa footing the entire $3.8-billion deal.

READ MORE: Alberta & Ottawa announce $10/day child care program

In advance of that, Children’s Services Minister Rebecca Schulz says parents will see child care fees reduced by up to half starting in January 2022.

“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.”

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There will be subsidies in place for families earning less than $180,000 per year, as well as operating grants for facility-based child care programs.

Operational grants for child care providers. (Government of Alberta)

Maximum subsidy rates. (Government of Alberta)

“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.”

The numbers listed above are for licensed spaces in child care facilities and preschools. The province says they are 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.

Starting next spring, the province will aim to increase the number of available licensed child care spaces. That includes adding spaces in areas with limited or no access to child care.

By the end of March 2026, the governments aim to create 42,500 new child care and early learning spaces in Alberta.

For more details on the child care subsidies and how to apply, use this link.

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