Licensed home childcare providers in Prescott-Russell will now receive an extra dollar per day from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR).
The increase was approved by UCPR council on Wednesday, April 28. The Licensed Home Child Care Agency of Prescott and Russell is a service of the Early Years Services division within the UCPR Social Services Department. The agency works in collaboration with home childcare providers and provides them with a daily payment. According to a report prepared by Director of Social Services Sylvie Millette, the rates vary according to the number of hours per day the provider is offering the service. Prior to the one dollar per day increase approved on May 28, the lowest rate was $24 per day for providers offering zero to two hours of service per day. The highest rate as of May 28 was $67.50 per day for providers offering 15 to 22 hours of care per day.
There are currently 37 licensed, home childcare providers in Prescott and Russell counties serving more than 200 children.
The increase took effect on June 1 and is estimated to cost $35,802 for the period from June 1 to December 31, 2025. The Ministry of Education is providing 92.96 per cent of the funding and 7.04 per cent is being covered through the Early Years Services budget surplus.
Millette’s report explained that the increase is crucial for supporting the recruitment and retention of home childcare providers in a context of rising inflation and an overall increase in the cost of living.
The motion to increase the daily amounts paid to licensed home childcare providers was adopted without any discussion by UCPR council.
