Released on August 15, 2018
The Government of Saskatchewan has allocated the remaining licensed child care centre spaces as part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Today’s announcement provides a total of 447 spaces in the communities of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Beauval, and Vonda.
Signed earlier this year, the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement provides nearly $41 million over three years to improve early learning and child care in Saskatchewan, including the development of 1,015 licensed child care centre spaces and 1,500 licensed group and family child care home spaces. Nearly 600 spaces were allocated to communities across Saskatchewan earlier this spring.“We are very pleased child care supports will be more accessible to communities across the province,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Gordon Wyant said. “This investment provides more child care options to accommodate the diverse needs of Saskatchewan families.”
“Access to quality and affordable early learning and child care for Saskatchewan families will give children a real chance to succeed in life,” Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos said. “Today’s announcement is an important part of our commitment to supporting middle class Canadians and those working hard to join it and ensuring Canadian children get the best possible start in life.”
“Every child deserves quality early learning and care. The Government of Canada is proud to work together with Saskatchewan to expand its system, removing barriers to families in accessing affordable, high quality and inclusive early learning and child care,” Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale said. “I'm glad to see our recent $41 million federal investment in Saskatchewan will allow more kids to benefit from learning and child care services in a stimulating environment. This will help ensure they get the best possible start in life.”
The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to increasing access to quality early learning and child care opportunities that support positive child development, early literacy and student achievement. Funding has been provided for nearly 7,000 spaces since 2007, for a total of more than17, 000 licensed child care spaces in Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Chris Hodges
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: chris.hodges@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506