Manitoba Expands $10-a-Day Childcare to Non-School Days

Posted December 13, 2024 9:01 pm

1 min read

The province of Manitoba has announced an expansion of its $10-a-day childcare program, which is aimed at making childcare more affordable for families with school-aged children.

Previously, families only paid the reduced rate of $10 during school days. However, on days when school was not in session—such as in-service days or during holiday breaks—parents had to pay more than $20 per day.

Starting this week, families will benefit from the same $10 rate on all non-school days. This change arrives just in time for the holiday season, potentially saving families with two school-aged children around $140 during this period.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate with your family, but for many parents, the costs can start to add up,” said acting Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy 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.”

The Manitoba Child Care Association has welcomed this news as a positive step for families. However, Executive Director Jodie Kehl emphasized that while this is a good development, it should not distract from the pressing issues within the childcare system.

Kehl highlighted that Manitoba has experienced delays in addressing recruitment and retention challenges for early childhood educators (ECEs). The province's ECE wage remains approximately 16 percent lower than the national average of $25.33 per hour. Currently, ECEs in Manitoba earn about $21.30 per hour, which hampers efforts to reduce turnover in the sector.

There is a wage grid in place, but Kehl argues it has not been effective in meeting its goal of improving retention rates among early childhood educators. Further actions are needed to enhance working conditions and improve wages for these essential workers.

childcare, government, Manitoba