University of Alberta
PAE-T2-4: Childcare

The University of Alberta has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with and is currently affiliated with six child care centres on or surrounding the campus. These quality non-profit accredited (certified by the the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services) daycare centres are governed by individual volunteer Board of Directors comprised of parents and community members. The relationship with these centres is managed by Facilities and Operations.

In addition, as part of the benefit package, academic staff members can apply for the Academic Child Care Benefit which provides financial assistance to offset costs of child care to a maximum of $2000.00 per calendar year per eligible child up to the age of seven years. The benefit is available after age seven if the child has a disability that requires constant supervision.

The Child Care Benefit follows the eligibility criteria of the Canada Revenue Agency Child Care Expenses Deductions. Claims may be accepted for payments for child care expenses made to: caregivers providing child care services (in home/out of home care), day nursery schools and daycare centres, educational institutions for the part of the fees that relate to child care services, day camps and day sports schools where the primary goal of the camp is to care for children and boarding schools; overnight sports schools, or camps where lodging is involved.

Due to the increasing demand for daycare services, the affiliated daycares are operating at capacity. To mitigate the impact of lengthy wait lists on staff members, the university has established a partnership with Kids & Company, which is a for profit provider of childcare services including daycare, after school care and emergency backup care. Kids & Company is opening its first Edmonton centre in Fall 2011.