Alberta Secures Additional Funding for Child Care Program: A One-Year ExtensionAlberta is set to receive an additional $1.17 billion from the federal government to extend its subsidized child care program for another year, running until March 31, 2027. This deal makes Alberta the last province to sign on for an extension, ensuring the program continues past its original April 1 deadline. The agreement was announced by Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu and Alberta Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.The extension provides stability and time for both levels of government to negotiate a more long-term solution, as Albertas child care system is unique, relying more heavily on for-profit daycare facilities and family day homes. Alberta successfully negotiated for five thousand new spaces in for-profit centers and the removal of limits on funded spaces for day home operators. The goal is to create a total of sixty-eight thousand seven hundred spaces by March 2027, maintaining Albertas fifteen-dollar average price per day.While the cost savings for families have been significant, there have been some criticisms from parents and operators regarding administrative changes. Minister Hajdu acknowledged these growing pains, stating that while the system isnt perfect yet, its a vast improvement over what was available just a few years ago.
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