Houston, Texas – The Beanstalk Early Learning Centre has become a significant part of a province-wide initiative, integrating into the program that offers childcare for just $10 a day. This inclusion marks a substantial step forward in making affordable childcare accessible to more families across the province.
Expanding Affordable Childcare
With its 48 licensed spaces, the Beanstalk Early Learning Centre now ranks as the third largest provider among the 25 newly added to this affordable program, as highlighted by the provincial government. This expansion adds 700 spaces to the initiative, pushing towards the goal of making 15,000 spaces available at the $10 daily rate by the upcoming spring.
Located within Silverthorne Elementary, the Beanstalk Early Learning Centre moved to this location in 2021, utilizing space that would have otherwise remained vacant. The move was made possible through extensive renovations funded by the provincial government, illustrating a commitment to enhancing community services and support.
The licensing for Beanstalk allows for the care of 48 children, distributed among before and after school care, daycare for ages 30 months to 5 years, and infant/toddler spaces. This structure was designed to cater to a broad range of childcare needs within the community.
Before joining the $10 a day program, fees at the centre were $60 per day, including meals, a rate already below the provincial average of $70 that typically does not cover food costs. With the new pricing, families will see a dramatic decrease in childcare expenses, now paying approximately $200 a month compared to the previous average of $1,120.
This initiative receives funding from both provincial and federal governments, underscoring a collaborative effort to address childcare affordability and accessibility. The inclusion of the Beanstalk Early Learning Centre and others in the $10 a day program represents a significant milestone in the province’s effort to support families and ensure every child has access to quality early learning experiences.