MORE FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM 550 NEW CHILD CARE SPACES ACROSS PROVINCE

Premier Lorne Calvert today announced the allocation of 550 new child care spaces to early learning and child care centres across the province at a cost of $1.4 million for 2007-08. The announcement was held at the Confederation Park Childcare Co-operative in Saskatoon; a centre that received 45 new child care spaces.

"We want our children to get the best start in life," Calvert said. "My government recognizes the importance of quality child care and early learning opportunities for Saskatchewan parents and families. That is why we are pleased to support the development of these new spaces to help meet families' need for quality and affordable child care in their home communities while they attend school or work."

Once all of these new spaces are in operation, the province will have increased spaces in Saskatchewan by 2,000; or 28 per cent in the past five years.

Of the 550 new spaces, 244 are in rural communities; 49 are in Prince Albert and the North; 79 spaces are in Regina and Moose Jaw; and 178 spaces have been allocated to Saskatoon.

Spaces have been allocated across the province based on priorities set by the government reflecting school-linkages, rural and Northern development, services offering non-standard or extended hours of care, services linked to post secondary education and those that support immigrant families.

"Saskatchewan's plan for early learning and child care is to develop an integrated system that focuses on early childhood development and positive outcomes for children," Calvert said. "Our plan was developed based on research and following extensive consultation with our stakeholders. Today's announcement demonstrates that we are making progress in implementing our plan.

"My government is working to implement our Early Learning and Child Care Strategy with provincial resources. The new child care spaces are only one of the enhancements to early learning and child care in Saskatchewan announced in the recent provincial budget. This year we increased our commitment to Early Learning and Child Care by 37 per cent or $11.6 million. This is all part of our goal to make Saskatchewan the best place for families to live, work and build strong futures."

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Learning
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@sasked.gov.sk.ca