On Feb. 23, parents from the University of Saskatchewan community attended a panel regarding the new reduced childcare costs implemented at the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union childcare centres, which serve the children of USask students, faculty and staff. 

In Aug. 2021, the Government of Canada pledged $68.5 million to make childcare more affordable for families. By 2025-26, the government aims to lower childcare costs to around $10 a day for children under six. As a result, the two USSU childcare centres, which include the McEown location and the Williams location, have reduced their costs from $780 monthly to $474 monthly. 

Tracy Edwards, manager of childcare operations at the McEown location, told panel attendees that she was excited about the reduced childcare costs because she feels that it will provide more equal opportunities for the USask community. 

“We’re excited about the opportunity to be able to offer spaces to people who may not have been able to access that before,” Edwards said. 

The USSU childcare centres offer care for children ranging from six months old up to six years of age, and house a combined total of 180 children, with 90 spots at both the McEown Location and Williams Location. 

However, both locations prioritize students, reserving 75 per cent of spots for them. The waiting list starts with undergraduates, then cycles to graduates. Staff and faculty are next in waiting. Additionally,  specific spots are reserved for Indigenous students. 

If prospective parents want to secure a spot, Edwards recommends filling out an application to get on the waitlist first because the time when an applicant is accepted can be unpredictable. 

“Being on the waitlist is a good idea… It’s really, really quite impossible to tell you how long the week will be or how many people are ahead of you,” said Edwards. 

The second speaker, Vionna Johnson, manager of childcare operations at the Williams location, addressed concerns about the allowance of part-time enrollment. 

“Currently, we don’t have any part-time spots for children that are not enrolled in kindergarten. And that’s just kind of what’s been happening. It’s not a ‘never’ option. Of course, it would be something that we can discuss within management and then discuss on the board level,” Johnson said. 

Despite the reduced costs of the programs, there is no shortage or reduction in terms of the services being offered for childcare. 

Children at the childcare centre receive two snacks and one hot meal per day. Various daily activities are also offered including art, games, stories, free play, gym time and outdoor time. These activities help develop a child’s motor skills and provide them opportunities for social interaction. Season-specific programs like swimming in the fall and music in the winter are also available for preschool children. 

The reduced costs may also make full-time enrolment for children a more feasible option for their caretakers. Once the child can be enrolled in a childcare centre, Johnson recommends full-time enrollment because she feels that having a routine can help children adjust to their surroundings to ease the transition. 

“It’s just a blessing for children to have a consistent routine,” Johnson said. 

It is through the fee reduction that many families are able to afford the childcare costs, and Johnson is happy that Saskatchewan residents get to enjoy this benefit.

“We’re very happy to see that there’s going to be further reductions, but even just this initial reduction has been quite a saving grace for a lot of families.” 

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Annie Lu | Staff Writer

Graphic” Jaymie Stachyruk | Graphics Editor