News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "Today, during Early Learning and Child Care Month, Education Minister Donna Harpauer announced that 13 communities have been allocated new licensed child care spaces as a result of the 2011-12 budget, which provided $2.1 million to develop 500 new child care spaces across Saskatchewan."

Excerpt: "The Saskatchewan government announced more support for early childhood educators. Supports include: an increase in start-up grants for school-age spaces from $308 to $615 per child; Tuition Reimbursement Grants increase from $150 per individual course to $500; and from $450 to $1,500 for the Early Childhood Orientation course equivalent to an Early Childhood Educator I. In addition, early childhood educators working in a licensed setting can also apply for a Professional Development Support Grant to assist with the costs of attending in-province professional development opportunities taking place between September 1, 2010 and March 15, 2011."

Excerpt: "...at St. Francis Community School in Regina, Education Minister Donna Harpauer announced the Government of Saskatchewan is providing $885,000 to nine school divisions to implement 18 new Prekindergarten programs in ten communities across the province."

Excerpt: "Education Minister Don Morgan announced that more than 500 new spaces are being allocated in eleven communities across Saskatchewan."

Excerpt: "Booster seats will be mandatory for children under age seven, effective June 27. To help encourage parents to comply with the change, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and Canadian Tire are working together to support child safety, offering coupons for a free booster seat to drivers when they’re caught without one."

Excerpt: "Government’s investment in early learning and child care includes a $2.14 million increase for ongoing costs of recently developed child care spaces and a $546,000 increase to support full-year Pre-kindergarten costs of recently implemented programs."

Excerpt: "The Government of Saskatchewan has expanded its dual credit partnership with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to offer high school students three more courses that will be recognized as a credit toward both high school graduation and an Early Childhood Education certificate or diploma. The courses will be available province-wide to all Grade 11 and 12 students, including students in First Nations schools."

Excerpt: "Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan, today announced the Bundled Birth Service which will give Saskatchewan parents the option to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Canada child benefits for their newborn at the same time that they register their child’s birth."

Excerpt: "Through the Early Years Plan, parents can expect: Prenatal and early childhood support for mothers and children; Better access to high quality early learning and child care options; Support for families in their role as parents and caregivers; And programs that make sure children and families receiving support don’t “slip through the cracks.”

Excerpt: "$55.8 million for child care funding – 889 childcare spaces created."

Except: "The agreement allocates just over $41 million, over three years, toward accessibility, inclusivity and quality in early learning and child care. The investment will support: establishing and expanding access to new licensed child care spaces; enhancing the quality of early learning and child care experiences for children; inclusive early learning opportunities for preschool-aged children who require intensive supports; and expanding Francophone early learning and child care for French language minority communities."

Excerpt: "There is also $20.8 million in new funding from the federal government through the recently signed Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The funding allows for the continued support of more than 16,000 licensed child care spaces and for the addition of 2,500 more by 2020."