As part of efforts and strategies to help businesses resuscitate from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alberta government has disclosed that licensed and approved child care programs in Alberta will receive a funding boost to the tune of $87 million.
The Nigerian Canadian Newspaper gathered that licensed day care, out-of-school care, family day homes, group family child care, innovative child care and preschool programs will be eligible for the funding.
It was disclosed that the money is coming from both the provincial and federal government levels, as part of Alberta’s previously announced Recovery Plan, as well as the federal government’s Safe Restart Agreement.
In a recent news release, the province said the money can be used to help operators purchase additional cleaning supplies, safety equipment and other upgrades needed to comply with health guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the statement, Minister of Children’s Services, Rebecca Schulz said “This funding will ensure safe, reliable child care continues to be available as it is a crucial part of Alberta’s economic recovery”.
“We are providing support to child care and early learning programs throughout the fall so they can keep their centres safe for kids in their care.”
Disclosing the development, the Alberta government said the $87 million in total funding breaks down as follows:
- $72 million from the federal government’s Safe Restart Agreement
- $8.2 million from the bilateral agreement
- $6.9 million from Phase 3 of the Child Care Relief program,which was announced by the province in May.
According to the statement, the province noted that $15 million of the funding was already provided in September ($109 per licensed/approved space), adding that the Safe Restart Agreement payments will be distributed on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15 ($200 per licensed/approved space, plus $2,500 per licensed program or approved agency, each month).
The province stated that prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 109,000 — or about 15 per cent of Alberta children — were enrolled in a licensed child care program and about 80 per cent of licensed spaces in Alberta were filled.
Speaking on the adverse effects of the pandemic on the industry, Amelyn Harke, executive director of the Canada Place Child Care Society said “As a child care provider for 31 years, I can say that COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges to our centre, such as low enrolment and staffing, which has led to significant financial hurdles”.
“The safety of our children, our families and our staff is our top priority and this funding will be valuable in keeping our environments safe for our families and educators.”
