Some Alberta child care operators are expressing concerns and frustrations with the $10-a-day child care deal in Canada. The Association of Alberta Childcare Entrepreneurs (AACE) has stated that many of its members are considering opting out of the deal due to what they perceive as government turmoil. AACE chair Krystal Churcher mentioned that operators feel they were initially coerced into signing agreements under duress and are now facing potential withholding of critical funding. The government’s plans to send out a survey to operators to understand the cost of running child care centers in the province has also been criticized for being late in the process, three years into the agreement. Churcher emphasized the need for a sustainable system that provides quality care and noted that providing such services comes at a cost that cannot be covered by $10 a day.
The federal government’s 2021 budget included a $30-billion, five-year offer that aimed to cut child care costs to $10 a day by 2025-26. Every province and territory in Canada has signed on to the deal, with provinces required to implement the federal vision which includes cutting fees and increasing wages for child care workers. However, some operators have shared concerns that the federal-provincial agreements limit the fees they can charge while not providing enough support to cover all their costs. Sarah Hunter, the owner of The Imagination Tree Childcare Centre, expressed that the $10-a-day program does not cover her growing costs and has led her deep into debt, potentially facing closure of her center. Hunter highlighted the rising costs she has been facing, including rent, food, and insurance, while her fees have remained the same for years.
Hunter criticized the government for not understanding the true costs of running childcare centers and for being too late in asking for financial information. She mentioned that she put a million dollars into her center and felt that the government did not support her during that process, leading to her current debt situation. While Hunter has not yet decided whether to opt out of the program, she expressed her concern for her staff and clients, emphasizing how the potential closure of her center would impact the children and families they serve. AACE is urging the government to reconsider its approach, warning that the current strategy could result in the collapse of high-quality child care services in Alberta.
The operators’ frustrations with the $10-a-day child care deal in Canada highlight the challenges they are facing in providing quality care while managing their costs. The concerns raised by AACE and individual operators like Sarah Hunter shed light on the financial pressures operators are experiencing, especially as costs continue to rise. The operators feel that the government has not fully understood or supported the realities of running childcare centers, leading to deepening debt and potential closure of centers. The government’s late request for financial information has been criticized as insufficient and too little, too late for operators who are already facing financial difficulties.
The potential opt-out of some Alberta child care operators from the $10-a-day program could have significant implications for the child care sector in the province. The threat of closure for some child care centers due to financial pressures highlights the precarious situation many operators find themselves in under the current agreement. The concerns raised by AACE and individual operators emphasize the need for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to child care funding and support. It is crucial for the government to listen to the feedback and challenges faced by operators and work towards solutions that ensure the continued availability of high-quality child care services for families in Alberta.
Overall, the situation with Alberta child care operators opting out of the $10-a-day program underscores the complex issues surrounding child care funding and support in Canada. The operators’ frustrations and concerns with the current agreement highlight the need for a more holistic and responsive approach from the government. The potential impact on families and children if child care centers close due to financial pressures cannot be understated, demonstrating the importance of finding sustainable solutions that support both operators and families. It is imperative for the government to engage with operators, listen to their challenges, and work towards a system that ensures the availability of affordable, high-quality child care services for all families in Alberta and across Canada.
