Diane McKean and her class of 15 kindergarteners are now able to enjoy theme-based Literacy Program Enhancement bags because of funding available through the Space Creation Innovation under the Creating Child Choices Plan.
McKean runs the Adventurrs School, an enhancement program based out of Queen Elizabeth’s School.
“Those resources are very costly. We wouldn’t have been able to do that,” said McKean.
The plan allows providers to apply for funding for up to $1,500 for each new space created.
So far, 9,449 new spaces have been added to fill the 14,000 wanted by 2011.
“We’ve had fantastic success,” said Cathy Ducharme, a spokesperson for Alberta Child and Youth Services.
“That shows you how quickly people got on board and rally together in the communities.”
The Creating Child Choices Plan also has funding available to help those in the industry create new spaces, attract and keep staff and make it more affordable for families.
In the first year, the province allocated $76 million for the program. The government plans to invest $206 million in childcare in the upcoming year.
