Childcare centres in Medicine Hat offer reduced rate to Alberta’s new fee structure

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With the province’s announcement of a $15 flat rate child care fee coming into effect April 1, many families voiced how disruptive the new fee structure was.

The previous Child Care Subsidy Program will be discontinued, meaning all families will pay the same rate regardless of income.

This means some will pay more than they did before.

Andrea Coulombe, owner and director of Building Blocks Childcare Centres, said that they are offering a monthly parent portion of $200, instead of the $326.25 that the flat rate adds up to.

She said that BBCC had to figure out whether or not the new flat rate fee was mandated or not.

“Was that as in ‘mandated’ as you had to do that, or could you figure out a little bit about, you know, it’s your program. So can you offer something?” she said.

“Building Blocks had reached in, and had went back to why we became childcare in the first place, which is being a part of the development of children.”

Coulombe said that BBCC’s priorities have always been to listen to their families and be responsive to them.

She said that by being responsive, they pride themselves in offering an affordable inclusive childcare program, saying a lot of families have been desperately trying to figure out how they’re going to pay childcare fees that will be raised substantially.

She understands the intention behind the government’s changing of the fee structure, but said it was not done in the best way or within the right time frame.

BBCC said in a statement that it believes that child care is not about making huge sums of profit.

It’s about ensuring that every need is covered while “creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive”.

“I think it’s not necessarily about how, but why,” said Coloumbe.

“We are definitely here for our families. We’re here for the community,” she added.

“We’ve always been committed to providing affordable flexible child care, and we want to continue that commitment with our families and Medicine Hat.”

Coloumbe said that BBCC does not have any concerns about being able to accommodate the families who want to be a part of the centres throughout the city.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Childcare centres in Medicine Hat offer reduced rate to Alberta’s new fee structure

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