Child care agreement extended for a year

Alberta and federal officials have agreed to extend the current child care agreement for one year, ensuring stability for families and keeping costs low. The deal, originally set to expire March 31, 2026, maintains parent fees at $15 a day for children in kindergarten and younger and continues savings of up to $100 per child per month on preschool fees.

The extension also provides more funding for child-care providers, including 5,000 additional for-profit spaces and expanded support for family day homes. Federal and provincial investments cover about 80 per cent of child-care costs, saving families an estimated $11,000 per child annually.

Alberta has seen child-care enrolment rise significantly since the agreement began, with more than 150,000 affordable spaces now available and the certified early childhood educator workforce increasing by more than 75 per cent.

Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s minister of education and childcare, said the extension provides certainty for families and providers while negotiations continue on a long-term agreement. Federal Minister Patty Hajdu said affordable child care helps parents work and train, boosting the province’s economy.

The one-year extension includes the Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement and related infrastructure funding, with federal contributions totaling $1.17 billion for 2026-27.