Expanded investments in the Child Care Subsidy Program will provide more low- and moderate-income Island families with equitable access to child-care services, says Community Services Minister Janice Sherry.
"We are pleased to provide further assistance to families who are currently assisted by the program and to extend the eligibility requirements to help more Island families with the costs of child care,” said Sherry. “The Child Care Subsidy Program also helps to support continued social and economic prosperity for Island families and communities.”
Effective Sept. 1, government will invest $300,000 into the Child Care Subsidy Program, as part of the Preschool Excellence Initiative. These investments will increase the per
diem rates for those who already receive support and will expand the income thresholds for the program, allowing more low- and moderate-income Island families to receive assistance and more children to receive access to child-care services in preparation for kindergarten.
Per diem subsidy rate changes:
● Infants: $30/day will increase to $32/day
● Two-year-olds: $23/day will increase to $26/day
● Three-year-olds to school-age: $22/day will increase to $25/day
Over 950 families received support through the Child Care
Subsidy Program in the month of July, which benefited nearly 1,500 Island children.
The Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour
delivers the Child Care Subsidy Program to assist families with the costs of licensed child care. Subsidies are used to pay tuition costs for early childhood programs licensed by the Child Care Facilities Board. This includes early years centres, infant homes and private licensed child-care centres.
Any Island family needing financial support for child-care costs may apply. The Child Care Subsidy Program eligibility depends on the net monthly family income and is determined by a sliding scale income test based on family size.
For more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program, visit the department’s website at www.gov.pe.ca/sss.
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