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The Kapawe’no First Nation Daycare Centre is the first provincially licensed on-reserve child care centre and it celebrated its grand opening with a visit from the Minister of Children’s Services Danielle Larivee, who cut the cake at the centre’s celebration on Sept. 15.
She was welcomed to the territory by Chief Frank Halcrow. The First Nation community is located in northern Alberta in Grouard.
“I am ecstatic our daycare received this licence,” said Carol Hanlon, director, Kapawe’no First Nation Daycare Centre. “It means parents can now apply for subsidies and we can apply for staff incentives, including wage top-ups. As the first First Nation in Alberta to receive its official licence, Kapawe’no has now opened the door for other First Nation daycares to pursue the licensing process.”
Minister Larivee said the licencing is an exciting step in making child care more affordable and accessible across Alberta.
“This child care centre is the result of a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work by Kapawe’no First Nation, and an example of the great things that can happen when we work in collaboration with Indigenous communities.”
The daycare not only benefits the community, but also benefits parents attending nearby Northern Lakes College. Students attending college can now apply for provincial child care subsidies to help with child care costs.
The Kapawe’no First Nation Daycare Centre offers up to 31 spaces for children.