The province has announced a flat fee for full-time licensed daycare facilities.
On Thursday (Jan. 30) the Alberta government announced that parents would only need to pay a flat monthly fee of $326.25, or $15 a day, starting on April 1.
The program is part of the $3.8 billion Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
"To support these changes and high-quality childcare, about 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new fee structure is in place," wrote the provincial government.
Although parent fees were reduced to $15 a day in January 2024, the province claims that many families are still paying much more depending on where they live, how old their children are, and the childcare provider they choose.
"This means a family using full-time daycare could save $11,000 per child per year," added the province. "A flat monthly parent fee will ensure childcare is affordable for everyone and that providers are compensated for the important services they offer."
Children attending part-time childcare facilities will cost parents $230 per month, while children attending preschool will cost $100 per month.
The flat fee will be replacing the Child Care Subsidy Program for children up to kindergarten age, with no changes being made to the same program for children in grades 1 to 6.