Childcare costs are often one of the largest expenses a family faces, averaging $1,172 per month according to the Alberta government, and this cost can mean the difference between a parent returning to work or staying home with pre-school-aged children.
The Government of Alberta signed an agreement with the federal government in November 2021 to introduce a $10 per day childcare program, though the goal of an average of $10 per day across the province is not expected until 2026.
Little Explorers Childcare and Discovery Centre CEO Pastor Aaron Hamilton held an information session on Wednesday, January 26 to give parents more information on the new childcare subsidy program which rolled out in January.
Through the new program, the government will reduce childcare fees in two ways-by providing a direct affordability grant to licensed childcare providers to help reduce fees, and by making revisions to the Child Care Subsidy eligibility requirements so more families can benefit.
Parents who were already enrolled in the previous subsidy program will be transferred over to the new subsidy program without the need to re-apply, and applications are open for new applicants. Applications received by Monday, February 28 will be retroactive to January 1.
Under the new subsidy program, the gross annual household income limits are increased from $49,999 to $119,999, which will allow more families to qualify and get more parents back into the workforce to bolster the economic recovery in Alberta.
The program also provides subsidies for kindergarten-aged children who attend childcare during regular school hours. Children attending licensed part-time preschool programs will also qualify for a flat-rate subsidy of $125 per month for all income brackets up to $180,000 per year.
However, parents will only qualify for one subsidy-either the childcare subsidy or the pre-school subsidy-and which one they will receive will be based on which will benefit the family more.
The amount of subsidy each family will qualify for will depend on the child’s age, gross annual household income, the program type, and the number of hours the child attends.
