Should Affordable Early Learning and Child Care Centre’s be Widely Available to Alberta Families? (Part 1)

In April 2017, Alberta announced Phase 1 of the Early Learning and Child Care Centres (ELCC) pilot program capping fees at 22 quality child care centres at $25 per day per child. ELCC Centre’s offers flexible child care for parents who work part-time or shifts that are outside typical day care hours or offers care in accessible settings such as co-location with other public buildings. These centres will provide support for children with diverse needs and implement an early learning child care curriculum. Following a Federal ELCC funding commitment, Alberta’s program was expanded to 78 more Centres in December 2018. A rigorous evaluation process has already begun for the Phase 1 ELCC Centres. The results from the evaluation will allow governments to determine continued funding and/or possible expansion of the program. The Minister will speak about the benefits of affordable, quality and accessible child care and how the pilot ELCC centres are making life better for families. Speaker: Hon. Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services Danielle Larivee was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Member for Lesser Slave Lake on May 5, 2015. She was sworn into Cabinet as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Service Alberta on October 22, 2015. On January 19, 2017 she was appointed Minister of Children’s Services. In 2015, Minister Larivee served as the co-chair of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Committee, and in 2016 she was named the lead Minister during the Fort McMurray wildfires. As a nurse, Minister Larivee is a passionate advocate for the well-being of Albertans. Prior to becoming an MLA, she spent more than 17 years caring for the people of the Lesser Slave Lake Region. Minister Larivee holds a bachelor of science in midwifery from the Midwives College of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Alberta. Together with her children, Ms. Larivee lives in Slave Lake, a community she has called home for more than 35 years. Moderator: Tanya Pace-Crosschild Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required