EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (ECDC) 2018 RATE INCREASES

RE: Petition to Fund Childcare Operations (ECDC)

Brazeau County Residents,

As many of you are aware, the Town of Drayton Valley has passed their 2018 Interim Budget Report. There is a growing concern within regarding rate increases for the Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). A three-year rate increase approach is being administered, which is outlined as follows:

Year 1: $61
Year 2: $65
Year 3: $69

Cumulatively, this will be a $195 increase in childcare costs PER child, PER month.

The Town of Drayton Valley will be issuing rebates to their residents to cover the increased rates. To date, Brazeau County has had no plans to do the same. Families who reside in Brazeau County will be forced to pay considerably higher rates for the same, quality childcare as Drayton Valley families - with no municipal aid.

The ECDC has been subsidized by town taxpayer’s money for nearly a decade while the county has refused to fund any portion, insisting that it is a provincial responsibility. While this may be a valid argument, our young families are being penalized for a decision our municipality continues to make without input from its residents.

Currently, 47% of the families registered with the ECDC are Brazeau County residents. This percentage has been consistent since operations began in 2008.

The ECDC provides high-quality, unparalleled standards of childcare. Its staff has been recognized provincially (as recently as December 2017, with two employees receiving Awards of Excellence) as well as federally (with the program manager receiving Recognition of Achievement in 2011 and an Award of Excellence from the Prime Minister in 2012). The Early Childhood Development Centre has been and continues to be an incredible asset for our community; town residents and county residents alike.

If you believe that Brazeau County should show support for its families and begin funding the Early Childhood Development Centre, let your opinion be heard.

*If you're a member of Brazeau County* Please write your name on the petition attached, as it will be brought to the next joint council meeting on January 25th, 2018. If you’d like to contact myself (Becky) my e-mail is bm.atkinson@hotmail.com.

Contact information for Brazeau County Council can be found at https://www.brazeau.ab.ca/county-hall/council/councillors.