‘Shock’ and ‘panic’ as new daycare operators in Alberta told they won’t get funding after all

Albertans in the process of setting up new child-care facilities have been left reeling after the Alberta government informed them last week that they would not qualify for grants under the federal-provincial child-care agreement. This sudden change has left many operators in a state of shock and uncertainty, as they had invested significant time, money, and effort into their businesses with the expectation of receiving government funding.

Arshdeep Kaur, a newcomer to Canada from India, had always dreamed of opening her own daycare. After her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, she decided to pursue her dream and invested heavily in renovating a building in Calgary to open Sparkling Kids daycare. However, she was devastated to learn that she would not qualify for government grants, leaving her with a mountain of debt and uncertain future.

Cheryl Montgomery, another aspiring daycare operator in Nanton, was similarly blindsided by the news that her facility, Little Ropers Learning, would not be eligible for funding. With a signed lease and eager parents lined up, Montgomery now faces the daunting task of charging full rates without government support, potentially putting her business at risk of bankruptcy.

The federal-provincial child-care agreement prioritizes not-for-profit daycare expansion, with Alberta committing to creating a minimum of 42,500 not-for-profit spaces over the next five years. While for-profit spaces are allowed under the agreement, Alberta has reached its limit for new for-profit spaces, leaving many operators in limbo.

Newly appointed Minister of Education and Child Care, Demetrios Nicolaides, has pledged to address the concerns of daycare operators and work towards a more equitable funding system. However, operators like Kaur and Montgomery are left wondering if they will have to sell their homes or close their facilities if changes are not made.

As operators anxiously await further communication from the government, they are left with uncertainty and fear for the future of their businesses. The lack of transparency and communication from the government has only added to their frustrations, as they struggle to navigate the challenges of running a daycare without the promised support.

In the midst of this turmoil, operators like Kaur and Montgomery are holding out hope for a resolution that will allow them to continue providing much-needed child care services to their communities. They are counting on the government to step up and provide the support they need to keep their businesses afloat and ensure that families have access to affordable child care options.