The lack of clarity led to one of the province’s largest childcare providers informing families that their six-year-old children can no longer attend as of June 30.
Families with children attending YMCA childcare facilities in Regina and Moose Jaw received an email on Wednesday afternoon informing them that based on the new childcare agreement details, children who are six or are attending Kindergarten in the Fall will no longer have a space at their centres as of June 30. This sent families into an immediate panic, only to have the centre correct the record a few hours later.
The centre explained the confusion of the new childcare details but confirmed that even if your child is not yet six but will be attending school in September you will be required to pay full time fees as of June 30.
“This childcare deal barely includes anything new at all,” said Matt Love, Shadow Minister for Education. “Childcare providers are confused, parents are panicked and the Minister wants us all to congratulate him.”
In an e-mail to childcare providers last week, the Ministry confirmed that they originally thought that all six-year-olds would be included in their newly negotiated deal but have since realized that is not the case.
“The Minister is doing a terrible job. He has no idea what is included in his agreement.” said Jacqueline Roy, Status of Women Shadow Minister. “The affordability crisis just got much worse for thousands of Saskatchewan families in the first half of March. These families budgeted carefully — and now their budgets are blown apart. Hundreds more as gas prices soar, and for many, $500 more a month on childcare. These families are at their breaking point. It’s affecting their mental health and affecting family dynamics.”
Since providing details to childcare providers, the Minister of Education has confirmed the Government has no plans to grandfather in families left out of the $10-per-day agreement, and has stated multiple times that, “This is the best deal we could get.”
Carla Beck’s team is calling on the Scott Moe Government to include funding for families of all six-year-olds to receive $10-per-day childcare regardless of birthdate in the upcoming budget.
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