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.

Students at Wheatland Crossing School have been gearing up for an international experience, however, at the 11th hour, it had to be cancelled due to the ongoing concerns of COVID-19.
The school was planning a trip to Europe in April, however, they had to make the difficult decision to cancel because of ongoing health restriction concerns.
“We had to make the decision, there were 75 of us going, with parents, kids, chaperones, and teachers, it’s very sad,” said Pam Collett of Hussar, who was planning on going on the trip with her child.
A part of this contingent was a group of students from Hussar, who have been working on fundraising to make this trip a reality.
“Over the last three years, the group of kids that were going had the opportunity to form a group in town and do some fundraising, such as cleaning the hall and all kinds of things,” said Collett. “It helps us out to pay for the trip, but now we are not going.”
Some of the activities included working the turkey supper, cleaning after wedding dances, running the kitchen during Summer Days, and selling luminaries.
Collett said the students gain so much from the experience of international travel, and in many cases, they would have the opportunity, if not for these kinds of programs.
“They see so much and learn so much. I think it is a great experience, even for the adults,” she said
She explains they had a deadline to cancel to receive a refund on funds they put up for the trip and they were able to do that.
“With the trip class, we made all this money, so now everybody will get the money to go towards school or to go onto the next stage. Some of the kids are in Grade 12, so they don’t have the opportunity to go on a trip. If some can do the trip next year, the Grade 10 and 11s can do that.”
“This community has been really supportive, we are very lucky to live in this town.”
Despite not being able to go on the trip, the students taking the initiative was a positive experience and life lesson.
“It was a great experience, unfortunately, they are not going on the trip. I’m okay with that, with everything that is going on and people getting stuck wherever they are after testing positive, I would rather be at home and not worrying about it,” said Collett.