CARLYLE - Saskatchewan and Alberta were the only two provinces that have not signed the federal government’s agreement to extend the $10-a-day childcare program, as of April 7.
Child Care Now Saskatchewan (CCNS) launched an open letter to Premier Scott Moe to move beyond words and into action and renew the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, better known as the $10-a-day plan.
According to Sue Delanoy, media contact for CCNS, over 20 childcare centres all over the province have signed this form.
Delanoy feels that Saskatchewan has fallen behind on key pieces in the current agreement, which includes a wage grid for staff, new space targets and a proper funding model for centres.
She said it is insulting to hear Moe say that he wants to hear from operators when she says the government has heard from many who are routinely ignored.
The Carlyle Cubs Learning Centre is a day care that relies on the $10-a-day program.
Judy Valentine is a director on the Carlyle Cubs board who says she is not only a concerned early childhood educator, but a concerned parent.
Multiple families from Carlyle and the surrounding areas have benefited from the services provided at the Carlyle Cubs Early Learning Centre.
Valentine said that without immediate action, they risk losing a vital resource in the community that not only supports their children’s development but also the well-being of countless families in the community.
“The implementation of the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program has brought significant relief to families through reduced fees and has also impacted our Early Childhood Educators with a wage top up,” Valentine said.
With Saskatchewan not signing this agreement yet, it creates a great deal of unknowns for the community and stress.
According to Valentine, if this agreement does not get signed, it will put a huge financial strain on families, leaving many of them unable to work.
“As the director, I want families to thrive and I want families to be able to afford the care they need,” she said. “Our service is essential and needs to be affordable.”
At this point, they are waiting to see the outcome of this matter.
CCNS is encouraging other organizations to sign their open letter. They can go to Saskatchewan.childcarenow.ca for more information.
