While the $10-a-day program reduced costs for families, centres were left trying to absorb rising expenses without corresponding increases in operational funding. Inflation touched everything from wages to utilities to groceries, and many centres built their budgets in 2020, before those costs surged. (980 CJME file photo)

Government provides $19M to child-care facilities

By CJME News Mar 4, 2021 | 10:27 AM

Licensed child-care facilities in Saskatchewan are getting more financial help.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan government said it was providing around $19 million from the Federal Safe Restart Agreement to child-care facilities to help them cover costs caused by COVID-19.

“The government recognizes the additional financial pressures being experienced by child-care facilities in providing quality early learning and child-care opportunities during the pandemic,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a media release.

“This investment will give certainty to those who work in the sector and provide them with the support and resources they need to continue safely caring for children.”

Two grants are included: A one-time COVID Supplement Grant of $600 per space to all licensed child-care facilities (for a total of around $10.6 million); and, a one-time Deficit Support Grant to facilities that experienced deficits, based on information submitted to the ministry in February (a total of more than $8.3 million).

“Since March, the Government of Saskatchewan has continued to provide centres with their operating grants,” the release said. “While some of the centres closed due to the pandemic, their operating grants continued to be provided by the Ministry of Education.”

The government has provided other financial aid to child-care facilities since the pandemic began, including grants for the purchase of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies as well as a salary increase for eligible early childhood educators.