The Affordability Grant is intended to reduce parent fees across the province to an average of $15/day in 2024/25. The rates were determined using average program fees across the province, per space, per month, based on the type of child care and the age group. Grant rates are based on the age of the child as of the first day of each calendar month and the number of hours the child is registered to attend.
Rates are paid to programs based on the age of the child and a minimum parent fee of $217.50 per month for children registered to attend 100+ hours per month and $100 per month for children registered to attend 50-99 hours per month, before subsidy is applied. The grant rates will be proportionately reduced impacting a minority of programs to maintain these minimum parent fees.
Children registered for fewer than 50 hours per month are not eligible for the Affordability Grant (this does not apply to preschool programs).
Alberta Child Care Affordability Grant Funding Guide | January 2024
In addition to fee reductions through affordability grants (listed above), parents of children zero to kindergarten age will receive additional subsidies to further reduce their fees, based on the income thresholds below.
Examples:
A family earning $75,000 per year with one toddler attending a day care program would be eligible for full subsidy. If the fee at the program is $1,000 per month, the day care program will receive $510/month in an affordability grant and the family would be eligible for $266/month. The remaining parent portion is $224/month or approximately $10/day.
A family earning $130,000 per year with an infant attending a day care program would be eligible for partial subsidy. If the fee at the program is $1200 per month, the program will receive $635/month in an affordability grant and the family would be eligible for $226/month in subsidy. The remaining parent portion is $339/month or $15.60/day
Families earning over $180,000 per year will still see savings through the affordability grant (See first table).
A family earning $120,000 per year with one infant attending a family day program would be eligible for partial subsidy. If the fee at the program is $835 per month, the day care program will receive $350/month in an affordability grant and the family would be eligible for $253/month. The remaining parent portion is $232/month or approximately $10.66/day.
Alberta.ca/ChildCareDeal
©2021 Government of Alberta | December 20, 2021 | Children’s Services