By Tom Mark

BC Govt Funding New Child Care Spaces

Jul 6, 2018 | 10:42 AM

The provincial government has announced funding for thousands of new licensed child care spaces over the next three years.

Minister of Children and Family Development, Katrine Conroy says the funding comes under the new Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.

“This initiative will hep create 22 thousand new child care spaces right across the province by 2021. We know it’s an ambitious target, but we know that we have to think big to bring relief to the many parents struggling to find child care.”

As part of the 221 million dollar investment, the government is streamlining the application process for child care providers, allowing continuous intake, rather than fixed application dates.

“We will now be allowing ongoing intake rather than the single intake window that’s only open a few times a year and we’re also adding a new funding stream to this program so we will support public sector partnerships with non-profit child care operators.”

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Those partnerships may apply for up to 100 per cent of the total cost of their project to a maximum of 1 million dollars.

Minister of State for Child Care, Katrina Chen, says indigenous communities and school boards can also apply.

“So if you’re indigenous communities, school district supported child care development centres, you’re project can also be funded 100 per cent up to 500 thousand dollars maximum amount of funding. And if you’re a non-profit child care we are committed to fund the project up to 90 per cent.

Also up to 500 thousand dollars.

Private providers are eligible for 75 per cent of their cost, up to a maximum of 250 thousand dollars.

Chen goes on to say there is a strong focus on partnership.

She says it’s crucial to provide stability to child care centres and make sure they become community assets.

by Tom Mark