Building Block Childcare Centres in Medicine Hat are offering flat monthly childcare rates that are more affordable than the province's current introduction of $15 per day.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
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As the province rolls out its affordable childcare measures to provide parents $15 per day care, one local provider has been able to keep fees below provincial rates by offering parents full-month care at a flat fee of $200.
Building Blocks Childcare Centres opened its first location in 2010 as the demand in daycare increased, and formed from the preschool program at Ross Glen School in 2003. Over that time the childcare provider has grown to four locations across the city, offering affordable care at a flat fee.
Despite several opportunities to raise fees, Andrea Coulombe, owner and operator, told the News feedback from families over the years about high fees for childcare motivated her to keep her fees affordable.
“It was just the one concern parents had always going into childcare,” explains Coulombe. “So we just always wanted to keep our childcare fees low and affordable and accessible, and it just being responsive to families. We just get such great feedback that we’re about to continue to provide that in Medicine Hat.”
Currently at $15 per day, parents will pay $326 per month for care per child. Building Blocks Childcare Centre offers care for $126 less per month and will not charge additional fees for extra-curricular activities or food.
“If we take field trips or any extracurricular things that centres are now able to charge over and above the flat rate, such as field trips or meals … we’ve always just included those things. If we’re going on something such as a field trip or when we do a pizza party… we always want to make sure no child is left out,” says Coulombe.
“We don’t want to put that financial burden on the parents to make sure their child is included, because some parents just can’t afford that extra, and it’s not fair to the child.”
The $200 flat rate was determined by Coulombe by looking ahead as the government says it will lower childcare to $10 per day next year, adjusting her pricing to match future reductions in childcare cost.
“So I thought $10 a day is roughly $200. Parents have already had a huge shock with this amount. Let’s just go at the $200 rate because that’s what it’ll probably be.”
Registration for next fall is opening at all Building Blocks Childcare Centres in the city and offers kindergartner programming that follows the province’s education curriculum.
Building Blocks is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
