'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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.