FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM CHILD CARE SUBSIDY ENHANCEMENTS

Saskatchewan parents using licensed child care are now receiving higher subsidies and more families qualify for the assistance as a result of enhancements to the Child Care Subsidy Program. The province has invested $3.6 million of new money into the program this fiscal year, bringing the total allocation in 2006-07 to $16.2 million.

"This is the third child care subsidy rate increase to be introduced by our government since 2003 and the largest single-year increase in the program's 30-year history," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "It will help provide greater access to licensed child care, which is an important part of the support parents need to raise healthy children and to give their children the best possible start in life."

"The Government is committed to moving forward on our made-in-Saskatchewan plan for early learning and child care and we are proud of the progress that we have made," Learning Minister Deb Higgins said. "As we spoke with parents and partners during development of the plan, affordability of opportunities was a key issue. Today's announcement responds to those concerns."

"Affordability is a critical issue for many parents when making child care choices," Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association (SECA) President Gail Szautner said. "The changes announced today will assist many more families in accessing licensed child care. SECA was pleased to have taken part in this extensive overhaul of Saskatchewan's Child Care Subsidy Program. Together, the child care community and government have reduced another barrier for families who require early learning and child care for their children."

In addition to a rate increase for child care subsidies, program enhancements include a new subsidy rate structure that reflects local costs, new part-time subsidies, full-fee subsidies for parents receiving social assistance who require child care while they look for a job, lower minimum hours of care for school-age children and new block funding arrangements for Teen Student Support Centres. All program enhancements took effect September 1st.

Government's plans to enhance the Child Care Subsidy Program were originally announced as part of the Provincial Budget on April 6th, 2006.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Janet Miller Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-0531

Gail Szautner Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association Prince Albert Cell: (306) 960-8020