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
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.