Parents across Yorkton are struggling to find licensed childcare, forcing many to delay returning to work, reduce their hours, or rely on costly and uncertain alternatives. At the same time, childcare centres continue to face staffing shortages while demand for spaces far exceeds what is available.
Data provided by the Sask. Party itself shows Yorkton has among the lowest rate of childcare spaces in the province, with just under 26 spaces per 1,000 people — the rate of spaces is nearly double in the Education Minister’s own Swift Current riding.
"That’s simply not enough spaces,” said Joan Pratchler, Shadow Minister for Early Learning & Childcare.
“This is an economic issue, for Yorkton, for all of Saskatchewan. When parents can't find childcare, they can't fully participate in the workforce. Local employers struggle to fill positions, families lose income, and children miss out on high-quality early learning opportunities."
Instead of addressing the shortage, Scott Moe introduced harmful policy changes on July 1 that childcare operators warn will make it even harder to meet families' needs — provincial funding have eliminated many part-time and casual childcare spaces, leaving even more parents scrambling for care.
Carla Beck’s team is calling on the government to stop reducing access to childcare and instead work with communities like Yorkton to create more licensed spaces, support childcare providers, recruit and retain early childhood educators, and ensure every family has access to affordable, high-quality care.
"Parents in Yorkton shouldn't have to choose between raising their family and earning a paycheque,” Pratchler said. "Saskatchewan has the resources to build a childcare system that works. What we're missing is a government willing to make it a priority."
Joanne Rainey, a local childcare provider in Yorkton, said constant changes to Saskatchewan’s childcare program are making it harder to stay open. “My paycheque keeps changing. I have an assistant in my centre so we can meet ratios and serve more families, but it has reached the point where she is taking home more money than I am. It’s easy to see why childcare providers are looking for other work.”
Pratchler said Carla Beck’s team will not let up until affordable childcare is a reality in Saskatchewan.
“We will continue fighting for the investments families need so that every child has access to quality early learning, and every parent has the opportunity to succeed,” Pratchler said. “It’s time for change.”
Saskatchewan people can send a letter demanding affordable childcare to Moe, his Ministers and Sask. Party MLAs with just the click of a few buttons at: www.ndpcaucus.sk.ca/childcareemail
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