MORE FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM ENHANCED INVESTMENT FOR EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE

Learning Minister Deb Higgins today announced a 37 per cent or $11.6 million increase to the early learning and child care budget for 2007-08 for more child care spaces, enhanced programming and to fulfil commitments made last year.

“Our children are most precious to us and we want to help them get the best start in life,” Higgins said.  “With this substantial increase announced in the recent provincial budget, we are demonstrating our commitment to implementing our Early Learning and Child Care plan with provincial funding.”

The Minister joined early learning and child care stakeholders at the Regina Open Door Society Child Care Centre for the announcement.

New enhancements totalling $8.2 million include:

• funding for 500 new child care spaces for 2007-08 at a cost of $1.4 million;
• $1.4 million to enhance supports to family child care homes including nutrition grants and increased start up funding for new child care homes.  The nutrition grants will provide a typical family child care home between $250 and $300 per month for nutritious meals and snacks.  Start up support for new child care homes will increase from $1,400 to $3,000 per home;
• $2 million for system-wide supports for providers and parents including increased grants for children with high needs, funding to develop parent resource centres and the completion and distribution of an Early Learning program guide;
• $2.5 million to assist the sector with capital costs such as fire safety, maintenance capital support for new spaces;
• $100,000 to support child care workers to obtain early childhood development training.  There is also $278,000 in Advanced Education and Employment’s budget to increase the number of early childhood education training seats; and
• $730,000 for 15 targeted prekindergarten programs for vulnerable four year olds.

“An investment in early learning and child care is an investment in the future of the province,” Higgins said.  “This is all part of our goal to make Saskatchewan the best place for families to live, work and build strong futures.”

The Government is also fulfilling the following commitments from 2006 totalling $3.4 million:

• a further 3 per cent average wage increase for child care workers; for a total increase of 21 per cent since April 2005;
• directly funding child care spaces for teen parents; and
• eliminating the funding wait list to support children with high needs using licensed child care.

“This increased funding for Early Learning and Child Care will do much to ensure young children and families have access to quality programs,” Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association board of directors chair Gail Szautner said.  “The range of supports announced today is comprehensive.  Increased spaces for child care and pre-kindergarten, staff training, special needs funding, and support for family child care homes are all critical elements of building a quality environment where children can learn and grow.”

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For more information, contact:

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