In 2026, the PPP/C government plans to spend $300 million on four new day and night care facilities, Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said during his presentation of the budget in the National Assembly on Monday.
The minister revealed that the facilities will be constructed in Regions 2, 5, 6 and 10. He also noted that funds have been allocated to complete the construction of a similar centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
In addition to this infrastructural expansion, the minister said the government intends to co-invest with qualified private individuals to provide childcare services.
Other efforts to support families include the continuation of the one-off cash grant for newborns totalling $100,000 per child, along with ongoing training for persons to provide basic and advanced childcare services. To date, the one-off cash grant has benefited over 13,000 newborns.
Furthermore, Minister Singh said the 2026 budget will support investment in safe child-friendly spaces to promote recreational activities for families and communities.
The foregoing builds on the work done by the government in 2025 to support families as they strive to balance their jobs and caregiving responsibilities. These include the construction of an Early Childhood Development Centre at Diamond and a day and night care centre at Anna Catherina.