CHATNEWSTODAY

By Brian Konrad with files from Canadian Press

Liberals take step on national child-care system

Local daycare association excited with federal investment in early learning and child care

Dec 1, 2020 | 11:05 AM

MEDICINE HAT — The Medicine Hat and District Child Care Association is very excited to hear the news of a federal investment in early learning and child care.

The Liberal government is proposing millions of dollars in new spending as a downpayment on a planned national child-care system, which will be outlined in next spring’s budget.

As a start, the Liberals are proposing in their fiscal update to spend $420 million in grants and bursaries to help provinces and territories train and retain qualified early-childhood educators.

Jennifer Usher, the coordinator of the Medicine Hat and District Child Care Association says in a statement to CHAT NEWS, that ” we greatly appreciate the fact the federal government understands the importance of early learning and childcare, both to children and their learning and development and to families in terms of returning to or entering the workforce.”

“We also appreciate that the government is creating a comprehensive system that is well-planned and well-funded.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

“In particular, we are excited to see that the government recognizes the importance of a well-educated and well-supported early childhood educator workforce.”

“Early childhood educators are the foundation of a quality early learning and child care system.”

The Liberals are also proposing to spend $20 million over five years to build a child-care secretariat to guide federal policy work, plus $15 million in ongoing spending for a similar Indigenous-focused body.

The money is designed to lay the foundation for what is likely going to be a big-money promise in the coming budget.

Current federal spending on child care expires near the end of the decade, but the Liberals are proposing now to keep the money flowing, starting with $870 million a year in 2028.