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Part of Children and families

Child care

Funding, supports and services for Alberta parents and families, and child care programs and educators.

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Child care

Overview

Choosing quality child care for your family is a very important decision. You want to find a safe, healthy environment that supports the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development of your children. New legislation provides more clarity and transparency for parents, early childhood educators and child care providers.

Alberta’s vision

Alberta families thrive – quality of life increases as families access inclusive, affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and child care options, which support children’s growth and well-being, as well as greater economic prosperity for families and Albertans overall.

As Alberta’s population grows in size and diversity, the need for high-quality, affordable and accessible licensed and regulated child care is increasing. The Early Learning and Child Care Vision establishes Alberta’s path forward in the transformation of early learning and child care.

Learn more about the vision.

Parents and families

Get information on accessing child care in Alberta, and find resources to help choose the best child care option.

Find out more about finding and choosing child care.

Child care programs and educators

There are wage top-ups, professional development funding, certification, and other resources and supports.

Find out more about supports for programs and educators.

In focus

Compassionate payments
Parents affected by child care closures due to the E. coli outbreak may be eligible to receive $2000 per child.
Early learning and child care vision
The Early Learning and Child Care Vision establishes Alberta’s path forward in the transformation of early learning and child care.
Supports for parents and families

Find child care in Alberta and apply for a child care subsidy.

Resources

Federal-provincial child care agreement

On November 15, 2021, the Alberta and federal governments announced an agreement to reduce child care fees by an average of 50% in early 2022 and to provide $10 per day fees, on average, by 2026. Learn more about this historic agreement.

Child Care Funding Fact Sheet – Parents and child care operators can learn more about the funding provided to child care programs participating in the Canada-Alberta Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Find child care – How to access child care in Alberta, and resources to help you choose the best child care option.

Child care subsidy – Lower-income families can apply for a subsidy to offset the cost of child care.

Online claims – Licensed child care programs can submit monthly claims for all subsidy, wage top-up and professional development payments.

Minister's Awards of Excellence in Child Development – Recognizing early childhood professionals to honour their outstanding commitment to excellence in quality care for children.

Child Care Connect

Send all initial licensing applications and fees, as well as variance requests to us via:

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
Child Care Connect
J.G. O‘Donoghue Building, 2nd Floor
7000 113 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T6H 5T6

There is no courier or in-person drop off available.

Connect with Child Care Connect if you have questions about applying for and receiving a child care licence:

Toll free: 1-844-644-5165

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