Applications are now being accepted for Phase 2 child-care capital funding and for the Early Childhood Education Bursary, Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux announced today from the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Childcare Society’s Morningside Childcare Centre.

Child-care providers throughout B.C. can now apply for the second phase of major capital funding under the B.C. Early Years Strategy, which will create 1,000 new licensed child-care spaces in 2015-16. These spaces are in addition to the 1,006 new child-care spaces government announced Nov. 2014.

From Jan. 23 to March 20, 2015, child-care providers who were unsuccessful or did not apply during the first intake period can apply for up to $500,000 (for non-profit providers), or up to $250,000 for (private child-care organizations).

A priority for this intake will be the creation of spaces co-located with other family-support programs in community-based settings, including BC Early Years Centres, recreation centres and family resource programs. Applicants will be required to provide a description of the partnership and proposed benefits to local families and community.

Once again, preference will be given to proposals that will create child-care spaces in underserved areas of B.C. and on school grounds, where children can smoothly transition from early years programs, to the classroom, to after-school care.

As with the previous phase of capital projects, funding can be used to:

• Build a new child-care facility, including the cost of buying land or a building.
• Assemble a modular building and develop a site.
• Renovate an existing building.
• Buy eligible equipment (including playground equipment) and furnishings to support new child-care spaces in an existing facility.

For more information on the capital funding program, including applications and criteria, visit:
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/major_capital.htm

As part of a further commitment under the strategy to increase access to early childhood educator and care-provider training around the province, the Early Childhood Educators of BC is now also accepting applications for the Early Childhood Education Bursary for the Winter 2015 semester (January to April 2015).

Bursary funds still remain from government’s initial $513,000 investment in April 2014. Students attending early childhood education programs in British Columbia can apply for up to $300 per course, to a maximum of $1,500 per semester. Priority will be given to Aboriginal students, students attending programs with an Aboriginal focus and students working to achieve an infant/toddler educator designation.

For more information on the bursary program and how to apply, please email the Early Childhood Educators of BC - membership@ecebc.ca - or visit their website: www.ecebc.ca/index.php

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“We committed to improving the quality of early years programs and services, while also making them more accessible for families. By creating new licensed child-care spaces and improving support for child-care providers throughout the province, we are focusing our investment in areas we hope will make the greatest positive difference for B.C. families with young children.”

Quick Facts:

• In November 2014, 32 child-care providers shared a total of $7 million to create new spaces in 28 B.C. communities, this included $500,000 in funding for the SFU Childcare Society to create 24 new school-aged spaces.
• The creation of 2,000 new licensed child-care spaces by March 2016 is a commitment under the B.C. Early Years Strategy, and builds on the approximately 107,000 spaces that government currently supports throughout B.C.
• Government has committed $76 million to support the first three years of the B.C. Early Years Strategy, including an investment of $5.5 million as the first step in implementing a network of BC Early Years Centres.
• In fall 2014, 12 community organizations throughout the province began hosting BC Early Years Centres that provide families with one-stop, convenient access to a range of services and supports, information and referrals.
• To make child care more affordable for families, government is introducing the B.C. Early Childhood Tax Benefit starting in April 2015. The benefit will provide $146 million annually to approximately 180,000 families with children under the age of six years (up to $660 a year per child).
• The Early Years Strategy builds on the $1 billion per year government spends on early learning and childhood development initiatives, services and supports, including:
• Success by 6, Children First and Aboriginal early childhood development programs.
• Full-day kindergarten.
• Programs that support healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy.
• The Ministry of Children and Family Development also provides child-care subsidies to help low-income families afford child care - helping approximately 45,000 children each year.

Learn More:

To learn more about the current range of early years services in B.C. and the B.C. Early Years Strategy, which aims to make programs and services more integrated, accessible, affordable and higher quality, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/pdf/FamiliesAgenda_EarlyYearsStrategy_web.pdf

To learn more about the B.C. Early Childhood Tax Benefit, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/tax_benefit.htm

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1553