Child Care

Child Care That Works for Alberta Families

Alberta invests less per child care space than any other province in Canada. How is that possible?  The Alberta Liberals see child care funding not as an expense, but as an investment, and one that will pay long-term dividends.

Choosing between employment and adequate child care is not something Alberta parents should have to do.

Alberta Liberal Action Plan for Child Care

• Trigger the creation of new child care centres and help existing centres to flourish through increased start-up funding, and operational funding for accredited centres, pre-school, out-of-school care, and day homes.
• Work with employers and industry to develop a set of best practices to improve conditions for employees with children, and to increase understanding between employers and parents who work with them. Employers will also be eligible for start-up funding and operating funding once accredited.
• Boost wage enhancements at every level to help child care centres recruit and retain staff.
• Provide financial support for students in early childhood education.
• Forgive student loans for those who remain in Alberta as child care workers for three years after graduating.
• Make spaces for children aged 6 to 12 eligible for subsidies, just as they are in every other Canadian province.
• Reduce the minimum number of hours required for subsidy eligibility.
• Provide specialized financial assistance to centres and day homes that offer infant and toddler care to address their higher staffing costs and to encourage more centres to create spaces for very young children.
• Make the Children’s Advocate independent of the Children’s Services ministry.

Click here to download the Alberta Liberal Action Plan for Child Care in .pdf format.