She said her business costs about $51,000 to run each month including rent and wages. Because she runs a preschool she s not allowed to apply for wage top-ups that daycares can get from the provincial government. But she has been able to get some of the rent and wage subsidies, which have allowed her to keep her business open.
From left to right, Rob, Victoria, Ryan and Krystal Churcher. Krystal Churcher owns Early Start Learning Centre.(Submitted by Krystal Churcher)
Annalise Yuzda, vice-president of child care for the YMCA of Northern Alberta, said all nine of the child-care centres they operate in Fort McMurray had to close for a week because of staff shortages. Only five out of 50 staff were available because the rest had tested positive for COVID-19 or were isolating because of a close contact.