CALGARY, AB – Child care subsidies are being made available to even more Alberta families.
The UCP government outlined details Monday on the allocation of child care funding under an updated provincial-federal agreement.
Alberta Children’s Minister, Rebecca Schultz says the province is directing $45 million in order to help even more families.
“We’re increasing subsidy availability to families with household incomes of up to $90,000. This is up from $75,000 right now so that more parents are supported as they get back to work or school and ultimately drive our economic recovery,” said Schultz.
Parent choice will also be key. Schultz says some of this federal funding, $4.25 million is being put toward supporting families with kids going to licenced pre-schools as well. On top of that, the Alberta government is directing $4 million to top up the wages for early childhood educators in pre-school.
Schultz says these investments are targeted, based on what the government has heard from Albertans.
Child Care Funding Allocation:
- Starting Sept. 1, families earning a household income of up to $90,000 will be eligible to receive child care subsidy. Prior to this change, the eligibility threshold was up to $75,000.
- Parents eligible for subsidy under the new changes can check if they’re eligible and apply for subsidy online starting Aug. 16.
- Families who are seeking subsidy for licensed preschool programs must meet the same child care eligibility criteria as daycare and out-of-school care, and can apply through the current system.
- The subsidy will be $125 per month for all eligible families with children enrolled in a licensed preschool program.
- The average preschool fee in Alberta was $190 per month in March 2020.
- Preschool wage top-ups will support up to 1,300 certified early childhood educators working in licensed preschools. More information will be provided to preschool program operators in the coming days.
- This announcement builds on the increased support for parents that use out-of-school care. Effective July 1, subsidy rates have increased for eligible school-aged children enrolled in out-of-school care programs, for the months of July and August.