New child care legislation is building on the strong foundation that will bring an inclusive, universal early learning and child care system to B.C. families.

More families than ever are benefiting from better access to quality, affordable child care, thanks to the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.’s history.

Child care providers who help families and communities thrive by supporting quality, inclusive child care in B.C. were recognized at the virtual Child Care Awards of Excellence ceremony Tuesday evening.

More parents in the Northern Interior will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in nearly 120 new licensed child care spaces, 83 of which are expected to open by the fall. 

More parents in the Kootenays will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in 125 new, licensed child care spaces, about 50 of which are expected to open in the fall. 

More parents in the Okanagan will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in more than 790 new licensed child care spaces, more than 100 of which are expected to open by the fall.  

More parents in the Interior will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in about 150 new licensed child care spaces.

More parents in the Thompson, Cariboo and Shuswap regions will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in more than 140 new licensed child care spaces.

More parents in the Lower Mainland will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in 340 new licensed child care spaces, about 140 of which are expected to be open by the end of this year.

More parents in Vancouver, North Vancouver and the Sea to Sky Corridor will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in more than 680 new licensed child care spaces, more than 450 of which are expected to open by the end of the year.