Affordability grant for child care programs

Overview

Alberta is committed to making child care more affordable by reducing parent fees. That is why, under the federal-provincial child care agreement, Alberta will be providing Affordability Grants to licensed child care programs that commit to working with the government to ensure fees for all families reach an average of $10 per day by the end of 2025-26.

Programs can use affordability grants to pay overhead costs and educator wages. Grant recipients must commit to working with the government to ensure fees for all families reach an average of $10 per day by the end of 5 years (2025-26).

Grant calculation

The affordability grant amount was calculated using average program fees across the province, per space per month, based on the type of child care and the age group:

• Alberta determined the average child care fee for a licensed space across the province and calculated the necessary affordability grant required to reduce fees by an average of 50% for 2022.
• Infant spaces (under 19 months) receive the highest grant rates given the low staff to child ratio and additional costs of operating spaces for this age group.
• Affordability grant rates are available in the Affordability Grant Funding Guide.

Eligibility

Affordability grants are open to eligible licensed child care programs such as preschools, daycares and family day homes under licensed agencies that provide care to infants, toddlers and kindergarten age children (in kindergarten and also attending child care during regular school hours).

Programs are eligible for affordability supports for full-time (100+ hours per month) and part-time care spaces (between 50 and 100 hours per month).

How to apply

To determine if your program is eligible for the Affordability Grant, contact licensing staff at your local or regional Children’s Services office.

Eligible licensed child care programs can access the Affordability Grant Agreement though the online Child Care Licensing Portal.

Read the Affordability Grant Funding Guide for additional information on the grant application process.

Other child care grants

Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program

Programs can apply for wage top-up, professional development and release time funding to support certified Early Childhood Educators.

Learn more about Child Care Grant Funding.

Space Creation Grant

A grant for non-profit groups interested in creating new child care spaces or starting new child care programs.

Learn more about the Space Creation Grant.