Child care facilities and family child care homes in Saskatchewan are to receive a boost of almost $2 million from the provincial government for COVID-19 safety measures.

“The intent of this funding is to address the most immediate and pressing needs of child care facilities, which is supporting the safety of children and staff by assisting with the cost of personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing supplies,” reads a statement by the government on Monday.

A one-time grant of $100 per child care space will be given to licensed child care centres and homes.

According to the release, the funding is drawn from the Federal Safe Start Agreement to support child care sector adaptations to the COVID-19 environment.

Additional grants will be provided for centres that were designated to provide child care to people working or returning to work under the province’s re-open plan.