Manitoba announced on Thursday, February 3, 2022, that effective February 6 nearly half of all regulated child care spaces are being subsidized.
The province says that for the average family this move will reduce out-of-pocket fees paid by families with children in regulated child care by 30 per cent.
The move will keep the province on track to reach a key joint commitment with the federal government under the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) agreement to reduce out-of-povcket parent fees by 50 per cent by December 31, 2022.
“Our government is committed to working with the federal government and early childhood educators to build a community-based system of quality, affordable and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services for Manitoba families – and today we are taking an important step in achieving our collective goal. Improving access to affordable child care will support more Manitobans, especially women, to upgrade their training, participate in our economy and play a key role in our pandemic recovery,” said Premier Heather Stefanson.
The province says that currently families of about 6,00 children in the 12 weeks to 12 years of age range receive reduced fees but with the announcement an additional 12,000 children will be eligible to receive support.
Manitoba has committed to reaching an average $10 out-of-pocket fee per day by March 2023.
© News4.ca 2022
