Alberta families will soon pay a flat monthly fee of $326.25 — about $15 a day — for full-time licensed child care under a new funding model set to take effect April 1.
The change is part of the $3.8-billion Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
The new system aims to simplify costs for parents while ensuring fairness for providers. Currently, child care fees vary widely depending on location, the age of the child, and the provider, leading to confusion and inconsistency.
The province will cover approximately 80% of fees through grants to daycare facilities and family day homes, saving families an average of $11,000 per child per year.
A flat fee also means an estimated 85% of licensed daycare providers will see a funding increase.
“Albertans deserve affordable child-care options, no matter where they are or which type of care works best for them,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
“We are bringing in flat parent fees for families so they can all access high-quality child care for the same affordable, predictable fee.”
Part-time care fees will be set at $230 per month. Families using preschool programs for up to four hours a day will receive up to $100 per child per month, an increase from $75.
The new flat fee structure will replace the current Child Care Subsidy Program for children from infancy to kindergarten age. However, the subsidy for out-of-school care will remain unchanged.
Jenna Sudds, federal minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, praised the initiative.
“Reducing child care fees makes life more affordable for families and gives them the freedom to make choices that work for them — whether that’s working, studying or growing their family,” she said.
“We’ll keep working to bring costs down, create more spots, and reduce waitlists for families in Alberta and across the country, while ensuring every child gets the best start in life.”
As the province moves toward a publicly funded system, child-care providers will have the option to charge supplemental fees for additional services such as transportation, field trips, and meals. The government has pledged to prevent preferential treatment for families choosing to pay for these extras.
With Alberta’s population growing, demand for affordable, high-quality child care is increasing. The province says it will continue working to streamline the claims process for providers while negotiating the next phase of the federal child-care agreement.