New rental fees could bankrupt early child-care centres in Sask. French schools: advocates

The school board Conseil des Écoles Fransaskoises (CÉF) has announced it will start charging new rental fees to Fransaskois early childhood education centres. Advocates say this decision could bankrupt some of those centres.

The new rent, set to take effect Sept. 1, is $4 per square foot for the 10 not-for-profit early childhood centres that occupy spaces in Saskatchewan CÉF schools. Most of the centres were previously given the space for free.

This decision was part of the budget adopted by the CÉF on June 21, according to the coalition of Fransaskois early childcare centres in CÉF schools. On Thursday, the coalition sent a letter to Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill's office, appealing for help.

"This unjust decision, in the CÉF's own words to us 'to account for their current budget needs,' will mean hardship, closure and the potential loss of hundreds of child-care spaces in the province,'" said the coalition in the letter.

Julie Pedneault, spokesperson for the coalition of Fransaskois early childcare centres in CÉF schools, told Radio-Canada Thursday that sharing space with early childhood centres is not unusual for Saskatchewan schools.

"Our research shows that many school boards provide space free of rent in Saskatchewan as an incentive to bring convenient day care spaces close to classrooms. Those that do pay rent have minimal fees that are nowhere close to what CÉF is introducing," Pedneault said.

She said the new rent fees will make budgeting extremely difficult.

"Some of our daycares have indicated that they could go bankrupt within the next two to three years, and that means less daycare spots across the province, and those are already very scarce."

Julie Pedneault, spokesperson for the coalition of Fransaskois early child-care centres in CÉF schools, says sharing space with early childhood centres is not unusual for Saskatchewan schools. (Radio-Canada)

Pendneault said there are close to 70 early child-care spaces in Regina French schools and even more in Saskatoon schools.

Smaller daycares across the province, some of which only have nine or 15 spaces, will also be affected.

"But it's still very important for those families so that they can go out there and earn a living," said Pendneault.

The letter indicates that all of the non-profit centres' revenue is reinvested in learning opportunities for employees and improving care for the children registered at their centres. The coalition said that due to economic uncertainty and high inflation, it is often necessary for Fransaskois early childhood education centres to fundraise to maintain the quality of services.

"This new unplanned rent expense is unfeasible for nearly all of us, while not providing any new service to our clients, the Francophone families of Saskatchewan," read the letter.

Meanwhile, the coalition said the Parent Fee Reduction Grant puts early child-care centres in an especially difficult position, as they cannot raise their parent fees to accommodate "new and sudden expenses such as this $4 per square foot rent expense."

The letter to the ministry stated that there was a lack of consultation with Fransaskois early childhood education centres by the CÉF.

"The decision to implement rent was done without discussing the consequences on the centres with their administrators. The decision was also made without any consultation with parents or the larger Fransaskois community."

The coalition says the Parent Fee Reduction Grant puts early child-care centres in an especially difficult position as they cannot raise their parent fees to accommodate 'new and sudden expenses.' (Marina von Stackelberg/CBC)

The coalition said that after the decision was announced in June, the centres, school councils and parent associations made many requests to delay the fees until proper consultation could be done.

All requests were denied or ignored, according to the letter. It said the CÉF has indicated that the rent money will go toward its general budget and will not be reinvested in early childhood.

Use of funds up to CÉF: province

Pendneault said the coalition wrote the letter to the Ministry of Education because it wants the province to act as a mediator between the coalition and the CÉF.

"There is a very clear funding manual that takes maintenance of the spaces occupied by daycares into account," she said.

"That's [why] we're hoping that the ministry will intervene and say … 'There's already money for you guys for that. There's no need for more and let's leave money for early childhood education.'"

In an emailed statement to Radio-Canada, the Ministry of Education said the government is supporting child-care space expansion by including child care within new school builds.

"Once operational, it is not unusual for child-care facilities located within schools to be charged rent. The terms and conditions of these lease agreements would be negotiated between the school division and the board of directors of the respective child-care facilities," said the ministry.

Saskatchewan Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill's office says the latest budget for CÉF included $3.9 million for items such as full time kindergarten and early years programming, but it's ultimately up to the school board to determine how to use those funds. (Adam Hunter/CBC)

The province said that for the 2024-25 school year, the CÉF is receiving $40.6 million in operating funding. It said that is an increase of $4 million, or 11 per cent, from the previous budget.

The ministry said this funding includes $3.9 million for items such as full time kindergarten and early years programming.

"However, CÉF determines how to prioritize the use of those funds. Funding for plant operations and maintenance is also included in the operating funding provided and includes space occupied by child-care centres," the ministry said, adding that in Saskatchewan, education is a shared responsibility.

"While government provides funding to school divisions for the provision of programs, supports and services, school divisions have the responsibility to make programming decisions within their allocated budget to meet local priorities and address the needs of their students and staff."