School districts in British Columbia are poised to receive a boost in funding for the development of on-site child care following the announcement of a new capital funding program by the provincial government. Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare revealed plans for approximately 1,200 new licensed before- and after-school child-care spaces to be established within the next year. The initiative, unveiled in Nanaimo, will be supported by a $5 million allocation from the Ministry of Infrastructure for the refurbishment and repurposing of existing school facilities to accommodate child care services.
Twenty-two school districts are slated to benefit from the funding, with 500 of the new child-care spaces designated for Nanaimo. Apart from the capital funding, the Ministry of Education and Child Care will provide additional financial support for the establishment and operation of these programs. This includes $2 million earmarked for start-up expenses like staff training and equipment, along with $20 million allocated for operating costs over the next three years.
Furthermore, school districts will have the opportunity to access a separate $2.9 million fund, commencing in the fall, to assist with start-up expenses for board-operated school-aged care programs. Minister Beare emphasized the significance of expanding child care services on school premises, citing increased accessibility and quality care for families in familiar environments. The initiative aligns with the School Amendment Act passed by the province a year ago, aimed at bolstering support for school boards offering child-care programs. Families utilizing these services will also benefit from the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, a provincial initiative aimed at lowering child care costs.