Saskatchewan, a province in Canada, has introduced 13,000 new subsidized childcare spaces, with plans to increase this number to 28,000 by 2026. This expansion is expected to create a significant number of jobs, and Nigerians in Canada stand to benefit from these new opportunities.
The newly created positions include roles such as daycare workers, childcare assistants, daycare helpers, supervisors, early childhood assistants and educators, preschool helpers and supervisors, as well as junior kindergarten educator assistants and teachers.
These changes come as part of Saskatchewan’s recent amendments to the Child Care Act, aimed at improving access to affordable early learning and childcare across the province.
Since 2022, families in Saskatchewan with children under six in provincially licensed childcare facilities have received a fee reduction grant. This initiative brings the province closer to the federal government’s goal of providing $10-a-day childcare for families.
In addition, the new Child Care Fund is designed to help provinces and territories increase their investments in childcare, potentially saving families up to $14,300 annually per child. The fund specifically targets rural and remote communities, racialized groups, indigenous peoples, newcomers, official language minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
The initiative also includes funding for developing infrastructure to provide care during non-standard hours, ensuring broader accessibility and supporting working parents.
Sue Delanoy, a long-time advocate for improving childcare services, expressed support for the changes but emphasized the need for adequate funding and staff retention to make the plan effective. “The workforce isn’t there, and we don’t pay people enough to stay in it. All parts need to work together for this to succeed,” she said.
Education Minister Everett Hindley highlighted the importance of these legislative changes, stating, “The changes we’ve introduced will help us create more childcare spaces to address the pressures, waiting lists, and growing demand across Saskatchewan.”
The province is focused on expanding the capacity of organizations to create new childcare spaces, while also increasing the number of licensed facilities offering alternative childcare services, according to the official statement.
