'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
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.