Saskatchewan Lowers Child Care Fees by 70%: New Fee Standards for Regulated Child Care
The Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada announced on August 11, 2022, that starting September 1, 2022, parent fees for regulated child care will be reduced by an average of 70 per cent compared to March 2021 levels. This policy is part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, jointly advanced by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Education and Employment and Social Development Canada.
Details of the Fee Reduction
- Reduction amount: Parent fees for regulated child care will be reduced by an average of 70 per cent compared to March 2021 levels, effective September 1, 2022.
- Scope: Applies to full-time regulated child care for children under six in all licensed child care centres and child care homes in Saskatchewan.
- Fee floor: Full-time fees will not be reduced to below $200 per month.
- Example: The official news release states that a family with an infant in full-time regulated child care can expect to pay up to $550 less per month than they paid in January 2022, representing an average 70 per cent reduction.
How Fees Are Set
Child care homes and centres set their own fees, meaning there is a range of fees families may pay. The actual amount parents pay depends on the specific facility's pricing. The official news release specifies that full-time fees will not be reduced below $200 per month.
Whether Parents Need to Apply
The official news release does not mention any application process for parents to receive this fee reduction. The reduction is implemented directly by regulated child care providers, and parents automatically pay the new rate. To confirm fees at a specific facility, contact the child care provider directly.
Policy Goal and Background
This fee reduction is part of close to $1.1 billion being invested through the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to make regulated child care more affordable. The official goal is to reach an average daily parent fee of $10-a-day for regulated child care spaces by March 2026.
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