Why some parents are frustrated over $10-a-day childcare in Manitoba
Parents are citing concerns over the pledge for $10-a-day childcare in Manitoba as certain children are excluded from the rate at certain times of the year.
Earlier in March, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Manitoba would achieve an average of $ 10/day childcare by April 2 – three years ahead of schedule for the federal government’s early learning and childcare bilateral agreements.
This means that starting next month, families will pay a maximum of $10 a day for children aged 12 and under at regulated non-profit childcare centres.
Now, some Manitoba parents are questioning why the plan doesn’t include $10-a-day childcare for every kid at all times.
With this agreement, childcare will be $10 a day on regular school days for those 12 and under. However, on in-service days and holidays, childcare for school-aged children will increase to $20.80, even though younger kids need a higher staff ratio.
Children in Grade 1 and older are considered school-age, while those in kindergarten are considered preschoolers.
“The challenge for families, and rightfully so, is that your child doesn’t stop being a child at the age of six,” said Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Childcare Association, in an interview on Thursday.
“So families are still going to need licenced care on non-school days. They can’t leave their children at home. So families are feeling frustrated that they feel like they’re being slighted because they’re not included under the umbrella of this federal agreement.”
In a statement, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko said that beginning on April 2, the $10-a-day fee will apply to school-aged children attending regulated childcare facilities before school, at lunch and after school. He added that families may also be eligible for childcare subsidies for children 12 weeks old to 12 years old, which could bring the costs down to $2 a day.
“Our government achieved a maximum parent fee of $10 per day for children three years ahead of the 2026 commitment,” he said.
“Additionally, this is a five-year agreement and we are always looking at ways to make childcare more affordable in Manitoba.”
Kehl noted that she is thankful that the Manitoba government has invested some of its own money into the school-aged sector over the last few years.
“I would commend the government for recognizing that they are trying to include the school-aged component of our system in Manitoba so that the staff and children are benefitting through some of the investments,” she said.
Kehl said this agreement is just one of many steps needed to build a high-quality, affordable, inclusive and flexible childcare system in Manitoba.
- With files from CTV’s Kimberly Rio Wertman and The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.