Government Announces $44 Million In New Grants For Child Care Facilities

Released on January 31, 2023

The Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada announce three new, one-time grants to support regulated early learning and child care centres and homes across the province. The $44 million investment in one-time grants aims to help offset costs incurred from inflation, support preventative maintenance and repairs of centres, and provide funding for outdoor winter play equipment.

"This additional funding helps ensure our regulated early learning and child care centres and homes continue to operate safe, modern facilities while encouraging young children to grow, learn and play," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Investing in our next generation is investing in Saskatchewan's future growth, and that is growth that works for everyone."

The operating grant to offset inflation costs will provide $15 million to regulated centres and homes across the province. Centres and homes will receive approximately $750 per eligible regulated child care space with this grant.

The preventative maintenance and repair grant totals a $27 million investment to assist in the proactive maintenance of regulated centres' structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems to prolong the life of facilities. Grant amounts range from $1,600 per space to $3,200 per space dependent upon space type and facility's location within the province.

The winter season grant totaling $2 million will provide regulated centres and homes with funding of $100 per space to purchase equipment and materials to encourage outdoor physical activity and winter play.

More information on the new grants, including eligibility and application forms, will be distributed to regulated child care centres and homes by the Ministry of Education Early Years branch in the coming days.

"We want the best possible start in life for all children in Canada," Canada’s Minister of Families Children and Social Development Karina Gould said. “These grants will help ensure child care providers can continue to provide access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care across the province."

The funding for all three one-time grants is provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement signed in August 2021, which provides a federal investment of nearly $1.1 billion over five years to support access to high-quality, inclusive, affordable, and flexible programs and services for children under the age of six in Saskatchewan.

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