Child Care Contribution Increased by 100 Per Cent Over a Year
For Release ##08-246
October 10, 2008
WHITEHORSE – For the third time since August 2007, Yukon child care operators are receiving an increase in funding for staff wages, Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart announced today.
The increase takes effect this month, is retroactive to April 1 of this year and will affect 148 child care workers throughout Yukon.
“With this latest 30 per cent increase, the government has increased its contribution to the wages of child care workers by 100 per cent over the past 14 months,” said Hart. “It is important to Yukoners and this government that our children receive quality child care,” said Hart.
This increase is the most recent in a series of financial supports for child care. In August 2008, the rate paid to child care operators for their staff wages increased 30 per cent. In July 2008, the Minister announced a 40 per cent wage increase. Both wage increases are in addition to adjustments to child care subsidy rates for parents which saw a rise of 25 per cent last November resulting in increases from $500 to $625 per month for infant care, and from $450 to $565 a month for toddler care.
In 2007, the government committed to annual increments to increase base funding for child care by $5 million to $10.3 million by 2012.
“Child care operators and the child care community have identified low wages as barriers to recruiting and retaining staff,” said Hart. “The government remains committed to ensuring quality child care for all Yukon children, and will continue to work with the child care community and the Yukon Child Care Board to build healthy families and improve the quality of life for all Yukoners.”
Operators receive a direct operating grant from the government, which includes a dedicated wage portion although operators make the ultimate decision of how much is paid to staff.