Three new daycare centres are in the planning stages in Humboldt, Bruno and Muenster. In addition to the challenges of raising funds and meeting regulatory requirements, advocates for expanded childcare options in rural Saskatchewan need also be concerned about the availability of qualified care personnel. Now the provincial and federal governments are going to put more money toward that issue.
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.59 million to fund one-time grants in support of the recruitment and retention of certified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and group family child care assistants to regulated child care centres and group family child care homes in the province.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting the recruitment and retention of more Early Childhood Educators and group family child care assistants to our growing province," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Saskatchewan ECEs are essential to providing quality early learning and support for our youngest learners, and these grants aim to help promote and attract more people to the profession."
In a statement, the Sask Party government outlined that Saskatchewan regulated child care centres and group family child care homes will receive a one-time grant of $145 per regulated child care space for children up to the age of six to assist with each facility's unique workforce needs, such as one-time investments into benefit or pension funds, signing bonuses or to attend career fairs. This investment will be made through the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement for the Early Learning and Child Care Workforce Enhancement Grant.
"We want the best possible outcome for all children in Canada," Canada's Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould said. "As work is being done to expand the number of child care spaces, this grant helps ensure child care providers can continue to provide access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care across the province."
Last month, the province announced an investment of $5.4 million for increased wages for ECEs and in August 2022, the government announced free post-secondary training for ECEs.