Subsidy Changes for 2020
Government policies are changing up for 2020, and it’s important for parents to be prepared. The most significant change for Calgary daycares and preschools such as Little Angels will be that the Kin and Stay at Home parent subsidies are ending. It had previously covered up to $400/month for children too young to be attending school and $200 a month for children grades 1 to 6. This is significant for hardworking parents.
However, not all hope is lost as in her statement, Lauren Armstrong, with the Ministry of Children’s Services, said they are now “focusing child-care subsidies to assist low-income families to enter the workforce or attend school by accessing child care in settings where there is more oversight and legislated standards of care and safety.”
Rising Costs of High Quality Care
Quality childcare shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. But consider the attention required for younger children and the importance of maintaining a good caretaker to child ratio. Though certain subsidies are provided to cover some portion of wages, the many costs of being able to provide a nurturing and well rounded environment are also steadily growing for Canadian daycares and preschools. A study finds that “costs have risen faster than inflation in 61% of cities since 2017”, according to the CBC.
But optimistically, a study finds every $1 spent on early childhood education pays back $6 later. The value of a good curriculum and qualified teachers is a long term investment that will incrementally benefit a child, their parents and their communities in the long run. Mission driven Airdrie Daycares like Little Angels embrace this idea and are committed to building strong foundations for the future.
Low Income Subsidy Plans
However, low-income families subsidy plans are still available for parents looking for a helping hand with the increasing costs of childcare in Alberta. As detailed from Alberta Child Benefit:
“Families with net income of up to $26,769 will receive the maximum benefits under the ACB. Benefits begin to phase out if you earn more than this, and will be fully phased out once your family net income reaches $43,260.
$1,155 for one child
$2,886 maximum for families with 4 or more children”
What can parents expect?
Because of these changes, Airdrie Daycares and Preschools especially have a responsibility to remain affordable for working families. Most of our parents are working professionals, and are thus inclined to benefit from any potential help the provincial government has on offer. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us any time and we will be glad to help in any way possible.
