Saskatchewan Changes Daycare Funding Rules Effective July 1

Saskatchewan will change how it distributes the parent-fee reduction grant for the federal $10-a-day child-care program beginning July 1. Under the new rule, providers receive the grant once per licensed space rather than once per enrolled child. The shift ends the previous practice that allowed providers to receive multiple grants for the same space when children attended part time or when drop-in children filled an absent child's spot.

Providers say the change removes any financial reason to accept part-time or casual care for children under kindergarten age.

Jennifer Blaedow, who operates Little Fawns Home Daycare near the Battlefords, has already notified two families that she will no longer offer spots after July 1. She said she will accept only full-time families because drop-in or casual care no longer covers costs.

Maria Mukhtar, who runs a home daycare in east Regina, has given notice to five families. She said she sees no reason to accept an additional child for the $10 daily parent fee when the government grant will be paid only once. Wait lists in the Battlefords area already exceed two years, according to Blaedow.

Both providers said they regret the decisions but cannot absorb the revenue loss.

Care in Rocanville serves 82 children in a facility licensed for 45 spaces. Director Cara Werner said the center has relied on space-sharing to serve more families and to offset what she described as insufficient base funding. Werner organized a community meeting last week to highlight an expected annual shortfall of about $66,000 after the July 1 change.

She said the policy will reduce access for families who need occasional care. Rocanville Mayor Ron Reed told the meeting that reliable child care supports workforce participation and helps the town attract and retain families and businesses.

Party MLA for Moosomin-Montmartre, said the change prevents duplicate grants for one space and preserves funding for new spaces. The Ministry of Education stated that providers are not required to stop accepting part-time or drop-in children. The ministry said the policy ensures each licensed space receives full funding once, even when used by more than one child.