Two early learning child care centres in Olds are part of the 100 facilities that will be offering $25 a day child care later this year, according to the provincial government.
The Mountain View Child Care Society (MVCCS), a new entity just in the formative stage, and the Olds Boys and Girls Club both plan to have their early learning child care centres operating by Sept. 1, provided contractors can complete renovations to facilities by that date.
MVCCS plans to offer 94 spaces and the Olds and District Boys and Girls Club (ODBGC) plans to offer 70 new spaces.
The ODBGC already provides kinder care for children five to six years of age, as well as before and after school care for children 5-12 and a pre-teen drop-in program, according to its website. Director Letitia Williams says the $25 a day spaces will only be for children age zero to five.
MVCCS anticipates hiring about 20 people to operate its program. The ODBGC anticipates hiring 14 for theirs.
MVCCS volunteer chair Mitch Thomson says the MVCCS is currently in the process of officially forming. It sent its paperwork to become a registered society to the government in March.
"We're still doing cost assessments on two different locations. Until we have that final location determined, we're not prepared to announce yet, but expect to have more information in the coming weeks," Thomson says.
Thomson's wife, Jennifer, who has offered day care in the community for many years, will serve as program director for the MVCCS.
Thomson says he and his wife got the idea for the new society because they saw a need not only in Olds, but across the county.
And they believe that demand will only grow as more marijuana production facilities and other businesses move into the community. Town officials say all those businesses could create more than 1,000 jobs over the next few years.
"It will be very affordable care. Parents will still have eligibility for subsidized care beyond that for parents who meet the income thresholds," Thomson says.
"In our centre we will be working towards additional supports for the community as well," he adds. "And that is to provide some supportive programs for single parents, for families that may struggle financially, for ethnic communities and Indigenous communities as well."
The Boys and Girls Club is currently located at 5021 51st St. in Uptowne Olds. Williams confirms the club plans to relocate its daycare program because the $25 a day offering will require more space than they currently have. Combined with the hiring of 14 more employees "it's a big project," she says.
Recently, Premier Rachel Notley announced 82 locations where existing programming will soon transition to $25-a-day child care.
Another 18 new centres will be added in the future as additional programs are licensed and obtain not-for-profit status. In total, the plan is to fund 7,300 affordable child care spaces in communities across the province, including those in Olds.
“Families shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and being able to afford a daycare spot for their child. By creating affordable child care spaces, we’re helping thousands of families keep more money in their pockets,” Notley said.
The government says the 100 additional centres will provide parents with "nearly five times as many affordable options as currently exist" and will create about 400 child care jobs across Alberta.
"Parents are expected to save an average of $425 every month," a news release says.
The expansion is the result of a bilateral agreement with the federal government, which will invest $136 million over three years to expand the Alberta program. In addition to $10 million announced last year, the province will invest an additional $4.5 million towards the expansion.
