Alberta Stay-At-Home Parent Support

Eligible stay-at-home parents may qualify for  a new subsidy of up to $100 per month, for each preschool age child who is participating in an approved early childhood development program.

Approved early childhood development programs refer to community-based services, including licensed nursery schools that provide opportunities for pre-school children - either on their own, or with a parent - to participate in activities that promote healthy child development.

NOTE: The allowable combined family income for this subsidy is very high - in the neighborhood of $78 000 gross - and it can even go higher depending upon the number of children you have, so don't automatically assume you can't qualify. Our best advice is to apply - the worst that can happen is that your application is turned down. (see the Estimator Tool )  (you will be taken off our site - hit the Back button to return here)

Approved programs

• Programs that promote parent and child literacy (e.g., Books for Babies) 
• Play-based early childhood programs  (e.g., licensed nursery schools and moms and tots programs)
• Educational programs that help parents meet their child's learning and developmental needs (e.g., Positive Parenting, Nobody's Perfect) 
• Community-based recreational programs (e.g., Swim and Learn, Baby Steps)
• Drop-in centres 

Ineligible programs 

• Day care centres
• Child care where parents remain on site (e.g., bingo halls, exercise facilities, etc)
• Services that currently provide cost-free programs (e.g., Parent Link Centres)

Eligibility

• at least one parent stays at home to care for preschool age children and does not work or go to school for more than 20 hours per week;
   
• family's combined gross monthly income and family structure qualify (see the Estimator Tool )  (you will be taken off our site - hit the Back button to return here)
   
• children are of preschool age (six years and under) and not yet attending Grade 1;
   
• the preschool children are registered in an approved early childhood development program; and
   
• funding is not being  provided through the child care subsidy or kin child care funding programs.
   

Subsidy Rate

Eligible parents will qualify for up to $100 per month or up to $1,200 per child each year to offset the cost of approved early childhood program fees. If the program costs less than $100 per month, the actual fee will be paid.

Payment will be made on behalf of eligible  parents directly to the approved early childhood development program.

Additional Information  (you will be taken off our site - hit the Back button to return here)

Payment Process

A parent must apply and qualify for the Stay-at-Home Subsidy Program.

Note: Early childhood development programs must be approved to allow subsidy payments to be made.

Subsidy application forms are available online at: http://child.alberta.ca/home/1166.cfm, by calling the Child and Family Services Authority Child Care Subsidy Office.

A Parent Information Line has been established to provide Albertans with toll-free access to early childhood development and child care information and resources.

• Toll-free: 1-866-714-KIDS (5437)
• Edmonton and area: 644-1366

Note: In order to apply for the Stay-at-Home Parent Subsidy, you will be asked to furnish a brief letter from Helping Hands Preschool confirming your child's enrollment and indicating the start date (or intended sart date) of attendance. Once you have registered your child at Helping Hands Preschool and paid the $50 registration fee, we will be glad to supply you with this letter. You can ask for it right at the classroom.