The provincial government has come through with a one-time payment and wage top-up for early childhood education staff.

Julia Gwyn-Morris, operator of High River's Daydreams Early Learning Child Care, says it has to be doled out by the end of the year when payrolls are already done.

"I think we appreciate that something is coming down through the government, we recognize that it was brought about by the federal government through this federal government early learning and child care program and so we do appreciate that money is starting to come, it would be more advantageous if we knew ahead of time and could plan ahead of time what is coming down the pipe."

"I would say the feelings that a lot of us that are working in management and in centres and in day homes and certainly in the out of school and pre-schools, it's just 'give up a little bit more time to do this processing during a very busy time already,' which is Christmas," she says.

Gwyn-Morris says they need to know what the plan is going forward for 2023.

"Many centres are in dire situations financially because we cannot raise our fees more than three per cent and we cannot go any further with the cost of living the way it is, et cetera. 

What I would say is 'please government, please think about what you are putting forward in the next year and give us a heads up in a timely manner and have consultation with the people that are in the communities."

Under the UCP plan, the existing wage top-ups for all paid hours will increase as of January 1 by up to $2 per hour.

Employees in October and November who worked an average of 30 hours-plus per week and continue to work in December will be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $900. 

On average, those who work less than 30 hours a week will get $450.

Gwyn-Morris says October and November are flu season, so some workers couldn't get enough hours because of illness or holidays during those months.