Government documents
Under Budget 2013, funding for child care is $269.7 million, an increase of $5 million. Families will continue to be supported through child care subsidy benefits that offset the cost of child care. Also, funding will continue to be available to eligible programs and staff to support high quality child care through wage top-ups and professional development and the recruitment and retention of qualified child care staff.
Human Services, like all ministries, was asked to examine operations to ensure that we are using our resources as effectively as possible to get the best possible results for Albertans. The Quality Funding grant, administered under the Alberta Child Care Accreditation Funding Program, will no longer be provided as of April 1, 2013. This change will ensure key supports and incentives continue to be in place. Wage top-ups of up to $6.62 per hour; benefit contribution grant to offset the mandatory employer contributions on the wage top-ups; professional development of up to $1,000 per year; and staff attraction incentive allowance of $2,500 per year will continue to be available.
Provincial Child Care Investments 2013
Provincial Budget 2013: Letter to Child Care Operators
Questions and Answers: Discontinuation of the Quality Funding Grant
News articles
Childcare advocates shocked government to cut quality funding, Public Interest Albert, 25 Mar 13
Childcare advocates concerned over axing grant, CTV News, 25 Apr 13