The following report, prepared by The Muttart Foundation in partnership with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta and the Alberta Early Learning and Care Leaders’ Caucus, presents the findings from research on the impacts of the changes to child care affordability funding implemented by the provincial government on April 1. The changes included the implementation of a flat-rate parent fee of $15 per day, the elimination of the child care subsidy and the introduction of optional supplemental fees for additional services.
The main research findings highlight the significant increase in parent-paid fees for many lower-income families under the new funding approaches. Under the new funding approaches, regulated child care is unaffordable for families with the lowest household incomes as well as for those families with lower-incomes and more than one child in regulated child care.
The report outlines strategies to make child care affordable for lower-income families including the reintroduction of a child care subsidy.