The Alberta legislature is picture in a file photo

By Charles Lefebvre

Child care

Province says $25/day child care pilot project will be reviewed once finished in 2021

Jul 18, 2019 | 5:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The province’s Minister of Children’s Services says a pilot project aimed at making childcare more affordable for families will continue until its announced conclusion date two years from now.

However, the program will be reviewed once its finished to determine its effectiveness.

“The beauty of a pilot is that we’re able to review the data and the outcomes from the project, as well as have good conversations with families and child care operators to determine if this is in fact the best way to meet the diverse needs of children and family across the province,” said Rebecca Schulz, minister of Children’s Services, over the phone from Edmonton.

Back in 2017, the NDP government announced a pilot project which saw certain daycare centres adopt $25 per day day care at their facilities. Currently, 122 day care centres, including four in Medicine Hat, are in place right now.

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The program is currently funded until 2021.

The NDP campaigned on expanding the program province-wide during the spring election.

Earlier this week, the NDP says they had received information about a daycare in Camrose that was ending its $25 a day program due to uncertain funding moving forward.

Schulz says they want to review the results of the program before going any further with it, but notes childcare being affordable is a priority for her ministry.

“We ran on a strong platform that was focused on jobs and the economy, getting people back to work,” she said. “We know that opportunities to work is hugely important. Parents want to provide for their children, and a strong economy is what allows us to invest back in the program, and support those who need them the most. We’re going to stay focused on that.”

Schulz adds she has not received any concerns from day care providers involved about the program.