Licensed child-care providers can now apply for up to $5 million in new funding through the second intake of the Inclusive Spaces Program Grant. Applications are open until June 13, as part of the $15-million federal-provincial investment in the Inclusive Spaces Program Grant under the Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Investing in inclusive child-care spaces is essential to supporting Alberta’s growing population, strengthening workforce participation and ensuring all children have an accessible space in Alberta’s high-quality child-care system.
The Inclusive Spaces Program Grant helps licensed daycares, preschools and family day home agencies improve their spaces and programming for children with diverse cultural, linguistic and support needs. More than 100 projects were approved during the first intake. The second and third intakes will create hundreds of new opportunities to transform child-care spaces across the province.
“Every child deserves access to high-quality care that meets their unique needs. This funding is expanding inclusive spaces throughout Alberta – making a difference in every corner of the province.”
More Alberta families can now access child care with personalized, inclusive or modified supports. Whether that means adding wheelchair-accessible washrooms, building sensory-friendly areas, or incorporating multilingual resources into daily programming, this funding provides better quality child care for Alberta’s kids.
This work is part of Alberta’s broader effort to expand access to high-quality early learning and child care, while also ensuring existing child-care spaces work for as many families as possible. By reducing barriers for children requiring additional support, the government is empowering more parents to stay in the workforce and helping more children to thrive in safe, engaging environments.
“As a proud recipient of the Inclusive Spaces Grant in Intake 1, we are thrilled to see the government's continued commitment to inclusive child care. This funding will help child-care providers like us create a welcoming environment where children of all abilities and cultural backgrounds can grow, play and thrive together.”
The Inclusive Spaces Program Grant complements Alberta’s Inclusive Child Care Program and Access, Support and Participation Program, which provide ongoing supports to child-care providers and prevent the exclusion of children with diverse needs.
Every child deserves to feel seen, supported and included. Alberta’s government, in partnership with the federal government, is making that dream a reality – helping child-care centres across the province open their doors even wider.
Quick facts
- Alberta launched the $15-million Inclusive Spaces Program Grant in December 2024 in partnership with the federal government. Its funding is being distributed in three equal intakes of $5 million.
- Through this grant, Alberta’s government has already distributed $5 million across 105 programs, supporting projects that will make child care more welcoming and accessible to everyone.
- 75 grants were issued for materials, with project costs ranging from $1,200 to $116,000.
- 30 grants were issued for renovations, with project costs ranging from $9,700 to $256,000.
- The second of three $5-million intake periods is now open and will close on June 13.
- This will be followed by one more intake period in fall 2025 to finish allocating the full $15 million in funding.
- Applications will be assessed through Alberta's Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
Related information
- Child care – supports for inclusion
- Inclusive Spaces Program Grant
- Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
Related news
- Alberta’s inclusive spaces transformation (Dec. 13, 2024)