A new Daycare in Regina

A new Daycare in Regina
By Ryan Sang, with files from Nancy Carlson and Pamela Cowan (Leader-Post),
Global Regina News
A huge weight has been lifted off the shoulders of some parents in Regina.

The Little Souls Daycare at 1475 Athol St. opens on Monday, alleviating waiting lists as long as two years for other daycare centres.

"There's a waiting list of several hundred parents for sure," Michelle Porter said. Porter is the executive director of the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

The cost of the daycare ranges from $500 to $700 a month. The centre received around $200,000 in funding from the provincial government to open its doors.

"The province was true to it's commitment," Ken Krawetz said. Krawetz is the Minister of Education.

In the 2009 spring budget, the government said it wished to increase the number of daycare spots by 1000, bringing the total to 11,400. Krawetz said the 1000 spots will be allocated by March 31, 2010.

Amber Shiplack is a working mother and has been looking for a daycare since her son came into the world 18 months ago.

"To balance everything is sometimes impossible," Shiplack said. "I'm just grateful to have something like this."

On Friday, Porter said 30 slots were still open.