Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Local daycare needs more staff following affordability program

Mar 13, 2023 | 4:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The federal and provincial government invested $3.8 billion dollars last year into its affordability program.

The program, called the Cost Control Framework and For-Profit Expansion Plan, aimed to increase spaces in childcare and lower fees for parents. But with these changes comes a growing demand for the services.

In fact, one local daycare says more staff is needed in order to make use of the funding.

Debbie Dunn, owner of the Pitter Patter Child Development Centre, says the affordability grant opened up 25 spaces at her daycare, and the affordability grant proves helpful in buying materials for renovations and lowering daycare fees for families.

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But, Dunn says the daycare is now struggling to find staffing for these new spaces.

She plans to open another room in September, but without three more workers, the room will sit empty.

Furthermore, the reduction in parent fees is contributing to a growing waiting list.

“Because more families want childcare, there’s more demand for it. Because we’re increasing spaces, opening new rooms, we need more staff than ever before, and it’s always hard to find educators for childcare,” said Dunn.

She hopes the recent $2 wage top up for daycare employees attracts more staff and educators.

“Hopefully that helps bring more people,” she said.

“There’s lots of options for people to go and receive the necessary requirements to become qualified. There’s lots of online options. We have lots of educators working and going to school to increase their level two to a level three. I think it’s doable, it’s just finding people who want to work in childcare,” said Dunn.

“I think maybe we’re getting on the right track, with increasing wages and making schooling accessible. Maybe it’ll take a couple of years to catch up to the demand that we’re seeing right now,” said Dunn.