The Women’s Centre is excited to announce the launch of our new Child Minding Program!
We offer minding of children for women who are accessing workshops, services, or events at the Centre. Our goal is to provide a safe, fun, and caring place for children to spend their time so that guardians can access our services with ease of mind. This program work to reduce barriers that prevent women from participating in a safe and welcoming community.
Why a Child Minding Program?
Child Minding is a direct response to women in our community who have expressed the need for child minding over the years. Child care is a common barrier not only for women in our Centre but for many Albertans as well. Many families have to choose between working or staying home with children as the median cost for an infant in regulated child care in Calgary was $1,075/month in 2015. In addition to this high cost there is a lack of regulated child care space in Alberta, with space for only 1 out of 5 children younger than 5. We are excited about the Alberta government’s plans to increase the number of child care spaces, and encourage families to visit the Alberta Human Services website for information on how to apply for a Child Care Subsidy.
The Women’s Centre is actively involved in raising awareness about the child care crisis and working to ensure there is affordable, accessible, quality child care in Alberta. Now we are also excited to take this step within our own Centre by offering free drop-in child minding to increase accessibility for women.
Want to know more about our Child Minding Program?
As the Women’s Centre is not a licensed or regulated child care facility, it is important to know that this program is only for while women are at the Centre. The program is for children ages 19 months to 12 years.
We now offer Child Minding sessions Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6-8 pm.
There is also Child Minding available for our Monday afternoon Practice English Class 1-3 pm but participants must call ahead to register children.
For questions and to register please contact Amanda Aust by email at Amanda@womenscentrecalgary.org or by phone at 403-264-1155.