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In 2023, the Saskatchewan government introduced $10-a-day child care to address affordability for families. Although this has been a good thing for families, there is still a struggle for many as waitlists have increased since.
Parents whose children are under the age of six and attend regulated child care on a full-time basis pay $217.50 per month. According to the YMCA in Regina, this daycare program has made it easier for parents of younger children to afford child care.
“When we talk to parents, they tell us they were struggling with the costs; now it’s become more affordable,” said Steve Compton, YMCA Regina CEO. “I think now our opportunity or challenge has shifted to more spaces, and more access so that everyone in the community can actually access (care) when they need it.”
Compton said the issue they are seeing is supply and demand – they need to expand to create more spaces to keep up with demand. The ability to expand is reliant upon funding from the provincial and federal governments.
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In an email to Global News, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education stated they are conducting a review of financial support for all child-care facilities to ensure facilities remain viable and have access to sustainable long-term funding for their core operations.
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