Many parents in Alberta have to choose between putting their child in daycare and not working to be their caretaker – but many can’t afford either option. The demand for daycare is greater than the supply, leaving many unable to access spots for childcare. However, affordability is another large issue that stands in the way. Thankfully, there’s child care subsidy in Alberta for parents struggling with these costs.
A study on Canada’s economics and policies by the OECD concluded that Canada is one of the most expensive countries globally for childcare costs. During the publication of this study, the annual rate of inflation was 1.4%, which currently stands at 3.1%. With inflation and the rising cost of living, accessing daycare or taking work off to care for children is difficult and often inaccessible for many parents.
What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford Daycare In Alberta?
If high costs are preventing you from being able to access proper child care consider the following options:
You’re not the only parent having trouble affording daycare. 11% of parents in Canada have difficulty finding affordable daycare, according to the 2019 survey on Early Learning and Child Care Arrangements.
Reach out to your network to see who else is experiencing this barrier and propose to share a nanny. This can help split the costs, while both families are assured their children are receiving proper care.
Find Out If You Can Work Remotely
If you can work from home, you can keep your children out of daycare and at home with you. Child care on top of an at-home job comes with its challenges, but it’s a way to save on spending.
Ask Friends And Family
Family and friends can be a great support to assist you when you can’t access daycare or work from home to care for your child.
Use A Personal Loan
While a personal loan isn’t the best option, it can help spread the costs over several months. In the meantime, you can go to work to pay back the money while providing your child the opportunity to access daycare and after-school programs. This offers them the ability to build their confidence, knowledge and skills.
Subsidy For Child Care
Child care subsidies offer families with a child or children in a licensed child care program the ability to receive support from the government to cover these costs.
Child Care Subsidy Alberta
Under the new federal-provincial childcare agreement, childcare fees will be lowered in two ways to help Alberta families save money:
- The child care subsidy will expand its requirements making it accessible to more families.
- Grants will be provided to licensed childcare providers to help lower parent fees. By 2026, Albertan families can expect to pay $10 a day for childcare.
Alberta currently offers five different types of child care subsidy programs with subsidies ranging from $92 to $644 a month. This covers programs ranging from kindergarten to grade six for after-school programs, as well as summer and off-hours child care.
Rates For Child Care Subsidy Programs In Alberta
The amount a family can receive depends on the age of the child, family income, the program and the number of hours the child attends the program every month.
There are five different types of subsidies, which include a subsidy for:
- Children aged 0 to kindergarten age; Preschool subsidy for children in a licensed preschool program;
- Children in kindergarten to grade 6 attending a licensed program during off-school hours;
- Extended hours subsidy for children requiring care during irregular hours;
- Summer subsidies
Child Care Subsidy In Alberta For Children Aged 0 To Kindergarten-age
The maximum subsidies families can receive depend on income. Ranging from $106 to $266 for the subsidy for 0 to Kindergarten-age where child care is offered during school hours.
If you have children in a preschool program that is licensed and your family income is less than $180,000, you may be eligible for a subsidy of $125 per month.
Child Care Subsidy In Alberta For Children In Kindergarten To Grade 6
The subsidy for Kindergarten to grade 6 outside of school hours ranges from $161 to $644 for Kindergarten facility-based care; $129 to $516 for kindergarten day home and group family care; $92 to $366 for school age, which includes grades 1-6.
Child Care Subsidy In Alberta For Extended Hours
The extended hours subsidy assists families needing child care outside of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on weekends. They can receive an additional $100 a month (per child) through this subsidy. To receive an additional $100 within this subsidy, the child must be receiving 4 or more hours of extended care a month through an approved licensed program.
Child Care Subsidy In Alberta For Summer Hours
Subsidy rates increase during July and August so that parents can receive subsidies during the summer months when children are not in school. Summer school-aged subsidy rates range from $161 to $644 for children in facility-based centres and $129 to $516 for children attending day home and group family child care.
Everything you need to know about Alberta’s Aids To Daily Living (AADL) program.
Who’s Eligible For Child Care Subsidy In Alberta?
Families in Alberta can apply for child care subsidies if they have a child aged 0 to grade six in a licensed facility-based program. These licensed facility programs generally include preschools, daycares, and out-of-school care programs.
It may also include approved group family child care centres and family day home programs. However, they must be supervised by a licensed family day home agency.
To be eligible, your income must be less than $180,000 if your child is aged 0 to kindergarten age or $90,000 if your child is in kindergarten to Grade 6.
How To Apply For Child Care Subsidy In Alberta
Before applying for the child care subsidy, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
1. Fill Out The Application
- Apply Online. You can apply for the child care subsidy in Alberta by completing the application online. However, you will need to create an alberta.ca account to do so.
- Apply Via Paper Form. Parents can also apply via paper form. This process will take longer, but parents preferring this route must download the documents to fill out here. If your child’s reason for care is a special need, fill out this application.
These applications, which are made available under the Alberta website under the child subsidy section must be emailed (mailto:cs.childsubsidy@gov.ab.ca), faxed (780-422-5692) or mailed (Child Care Subsidy PO Box 1641, Station M Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9).
2. Complete The CRA Form
Applicants must also complete the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent Applicant Declaration and Acknowledgement form and provide any additional documentation that is requested through the application.
Applicants may be obligated to offer additional documentation to complete their application. What documents you will be required to provide will be detailed towards the end of the assessment process.
3. Submit Your Forms
After you apply, applicants who are eligible for the program will receive a 2-month subsidy, on the condition that they’ll be approved after their assessment is fully complete. Applicants who do not meet the conditional acceptance requirements will be able to obtain a subsidy once their application has been officially approved.
4. Get Approved
If you’re approved, you’ll receive a letter with the start and end dates of your subsidy. It will also note how much you’ll be covered under the child care program.
What Happens If Your Application Is Not Approved?
If your application is rejected, you’ll get a letter stating why you were denied. If you don’t agree with their decision and would like to contest it, you can ask for it the be reviewed again. You can do so by submitting the Administrative Review Request form. Note you must submit this form within 30 days from the date of the rejection.
Other Programs To Help With Child Costs In Alberta
Parents can seek programs outside of the child care subsidy to help support the costs associated with raising a child.
Alberta Child Health Benefit
This program provides assistance for low-income families purchasing eyeglasses, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, emergency ambulance services, and dental care for their children.
The Alberta Child And Family Benefit (ACFB)
The ACFB offers direct financial support to lower and middle-income families with children under the age of 18. The amount a family can receive is determined by income level and number of children.
Alberta Family Support For Children With Disabilities (FSCD)
The FSCD Program offers support for parents raising children with disabilities in Alberta. The goal of this program is to provide parents with the support they need to help raise healthy children and offer services to help parents with:
- The healthy development of the child.
- Encouragement to participate in at-home and community activities.
- Guardianship and responsible decision-making for the child until they are 18.
- Costs associated with raising a child with a disability.
Final Thoughts
With the high cost of living in Canada, raising a child can be overwhelming, not to mention the task of finding affordable child care for them. But it’s not impossible. Subsidies are out there, not only to support child care but to receive help for other essential purchases including medication, eyeglasses, and more.
