Families with school-aged children in licensed, funded child-care facilities are now paying $10 a day for child care on non-school days as of Dec. 8, acting Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today.
"The need for affordable child care doesn't stop on in-services and holidays," said Schmidt. "The previous government failed to extend $10-a-day funding to school-aged children on non-school days like in-services, holidays and summer break. By providing true $10-a-day care every day for school-aged children, we're making Manitoba's child-care system one of the most affordable in Canada."
The extension of the Reduced Parent Fee Revenue Grant to school-aged care on non-school days is solely funded by the Manitoba government. This initiative will reduce full-day school-aged fees for the approximately 73 non-school days per calendar year to $10 from the current maximum of $20.80. With school-aged $10-a-day funding launching in early December, the reduction will be in effect for the winter holiday break, noted the minister.
"The holidays are a time to celebrate with your family, but for many parents, the costs can start to add up," said Schmidt. "This is one way our government is lowering your bills so it's easier to afford that special something on your child's wish list.
Budget 2024 committed to extend $10-a-day child care in the 2024-25 school year so all families with school-aged children in licensed, funded child care facilities pay the same affordable fees across Manitoba, noted the minister.
The $10-a-day child-care extension will save some Manitoba families with two school-aged children approximately $140 during this holiday season, noted the minister.
"I am very excited that the government has extended the $10-a-day child care," said Michelle Pearson, mother of eight-year-old Bodhi and ten-year-old Dylan, Winnipeg. "In these challenging economic times, every dollar saved is important to our family."
For more information about early learning and child care in Manitoba, visit: www.manitoba.ca/education/childcare/families/10_dollar_a_day.html.
