Families with school-aged children in licensed, funded child-care facilities in Manitoba are now benefiting from $10-a-day child care on non-school days, Acting Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today.
“The need for affordable child care doesn’t stop on in-services and holidays,” Schmidt said. “The previous government failed to extend $10-a-day funding to school-aged children on non-school days like in-services, holidays, and summer break. By providing true $10-a-day care every day for school-aged children, we’re making Manitoba’s child-care system one of the most affordable in Canada.”
The Manitoba government is funding the extension of the Reduced Parent Fee Revenue Grant to cover non-school days, cutting full-day school-aged fees from the current maximum of $20.80 to just $10. With this initiative, set to start in early December, families will see the benefits during the winter holiday break.
Schmidt emphasized that the holidays, while a time for family celebrations, can also be financially stressful for parents. “This is one way our government is lowering your bills so it’s easier to afford that special something on your child’s wish list,” she said.
Budget 2024 included a commitment to extend $10-a-day child care throughout the 2024-25 school year, ensuring all families with school-aged children in licensed, funded child care facilities pay the same affordable fees across Manitoba.
The extension will save some families with two school-aged children approximately $140 during this holiday season, according to Schmidt.
Local parent Michelle Pearson, who has two children, eight-year-old Bodhi and ten-year-old Dylan, expressed her excitement about the initiative. “In these challenging economic times, every dollar saved is important to our family,” Pearson said.
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