'Inclusive and affordable childcare': Government seeks to encourage unregulated childcare to get licensed
A recent federal visit to Saskatchewan sought to persuade unregulated childcare facilities to get licensed in order to receive provincial and federal benefits.
In an announcement on Aug. 11, federal minister of families, children, and social development Karina Gould outlined that starting Sept. 1, 2022, families with an infant in full-time regulated childcare can expect to pay up to $550 less per month than what they paid in Jan. 2022.
“Whether in Regina or in Unity, Saskatchewan access to quality inclusive and affordable childcare matters to all families,” Gould said.
The announcement was a welcome sign for residents, as inflation continues to raise the cost of living.
“Nothing is getting cheaper, so this is the sort of thing that’s actually working out for people that have children,” said Megan Schmidt, who works as a director at First Years Learning Centre.
According to Schmidt, First Years Learning Centre currently has a 1,600 person waitlist for childcare, a common problem throughout the province.
The government plans to add an additional 28,000 spaces to regulated childcare over the next four years.
However, Schmidt believes the problem is more than just additional spaces.
“We can open, you know, a million more spaces, but they might not actually be open because who's going to work in those spaces?” said Schmidt.
“We are facing a massive staffing crisis right now.”
The announcement illuminates the province’s plan to introduce $10 a day childcare by 2025.
The lower childcare fees apply to regulated childcare centres only, therefore encouraging unregulated centres to get their licence.
“Some people that have their kids in home daycares that aren't licensed might look at putting their kids in licensed care,” said Schmidt.
“Just because they won't be getting the fee decrease that the rest of the families are getting who are in licensed care.”
In a statement, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education said it continues to encourage unregulated childcare providers to become regulated so families can start benefiting from the fee reduction.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.