![['Ida Mitchell, early childhood educator, Maelle Gillan and Autumn MacLeod paint chalk hearts on the pavement at the Milestone Early Years and Child Care Centre.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/childcare-costs-far-too-expensive-for-ma-2871312.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=enhance%2Ccompress%2Cformat)
A subsidy increase will make childcare more affordable and accessible to Island families, says the provincial government.
The province has announced the private sitter rate will increase from $20 to $30 a day for infants and from $20 to $25 for children two-years and older.
The before and after school half-day rate will increase from $10 to $15 while the full-day rate will increase from $20 to $30.
The number of families who receive full subsidy, those who fall under a defined income level, is also increasing from 720 to 794.
More information on the childcare subsidy program is available at 1-877-569-0564 or by visiting Princeedwardisland.ca
