Early childhood educators have now had some time to digest details of the Notley government’s new $25-a-day public daycare pilot. While some believe it will improve access and affordability, others believe too many families will be left out.
“Not everybody sends their children to daycare,” said Debbie Sheppard, who owns Green Door Preschool, which also offers before and after care. “There are moms and dads, both, that believe that a stay-at-home parent is crucial.”
“Or, the way… Alberta has gone the last couple years, one parent is out of a job,” she said, adding that means they can no longer afford full-time child care.
The preschool isn’t eligible for the $25-a-day program because it’s privately owned and isn’t accredited.
READ MORE: Wildrose questions Alberta government’s $25-a-day daycare pilot project
The Notley government plans to approve 18 not-for-profit child care centres with accreditation by early next year.
That doesn’t sit right for Kodi Tait, a stay-at-home mother whose son attends Green Door. She expressed concern for families who can’t afford preschool.
“If you stay home, your kid should still have a good place to go and learn and socialize with other children,” Tait said. “They shouldn’t be denied that opportunity just because you stay home with them.”
There could be long wait lists for programs approved for the reduced rate, Penny Gagnon said.
Gagnon heads up Churchill Park Family Care Society, a not-for-profit that will consider applying.
“We’re hoping it will allow those families who have lost their jobs …to get different jobs at different income levels to be able to afford child care,” she said.
The cost of full-time child care in Alberta averages around $1,000 per child and creates a barrier to employment for many families.
READ MORE: How child care costs compare in Canada (hint: they’re way more than tuition)
The government program is expected to create 1,000 new child care spaces, with no income test for families. The existing child care subsidy program is not affected.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees in Alberta believes it will benefit the whole province and the economy.
“One income, low income earners – and it will create jobs as well,” CUPE’s Marle Roberts said, “and at a time when job creation is needed.”
READ MORE: $25-a-day daycare pilot project coming to 18 Alberta early learning child care centres
Green Door recently cut back some of its services and Sheppard said $15/hr minimum wage in 2018 will push her costs even higher.
She hopes the government will expand its new child care funding to other kinds of child care.
The province is spending $1 million to evaluate the pilot project and research next steps.
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