Families at the Selkirk College Children’s Centre are now paying no more than $200 a month per child as part of the B.C. government’s universal child care prototype project.

“I am thrilled that Selkirk College Children’s Centre was selected as a prototype site to model universal child care,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Kootenay West. “By offering inclusive care, the centre ensures that all children – regardless of their background – have the best chance of success in their early years and beyond.”

The Selkirk College Children’s Centre is one of more than 50 sites chosen to offer high-quality, low-cost child care to B.C. parents. The centre offers services for young parents under the age of 25 years, as well as families with English as a second language, and also ensures that children with extra support needs are able to participate fully in the centre’s programming.

The centre has partnered with the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society and the Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program to deliver culturally sensitive care to Indigenous children and families. Children are able to participate in activities, such as traditional drumming, storytelling and crafts. The centre also offers cultural support and resources to families.

“We have a long-term vision of bringing universal child care to B.C. parents,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “The new prototype sites are an important first step toward that goal, and we’re excited to be working with providers like Selkirk College Children’s Centre to make life better for B.C. families.” 

The Childcare BC Universal Prototype Sites will model what high-quality, affordable, universal child care may look like for B.C. families. This funding will allow the Selkirk College Children’s Centre to offer 47 low-cost, licensed child care spaces to parents in Castlegar. In all, parents of around 2,500 children will benefit from the prototype sites, which are being offered throughout the province.

Conroy will visit Selkirk College at 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, to congratulate the college and discuss these spaces in more detail.

This project is funded through a $60-million investment as part of the Province’s Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the Government of Canada. It complements the Province’s $1-billion, three-year investment through Childcare BC to move toward its long-term vision of affordable, accessible and quality child care for any family that needs it.

Parents who are not accessing these low-cost spaces may still be eligible for support through the Affordable Child Care Benefit, which provides up to $1,250 per child a month for families with an annual income of $111,000 or less. Families using licensed child care may also see savings through the Child Care Fee Reduction, which has so far helped to reduce the cost of almost 52,000 child care spaces around the province.

Learn More:

For more about Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

For more information about universal child care prototype sites, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/prototypesites

To learn more about the Affordable Child Care Benefit, and to apply, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/affordablechildcarebenefit

For more information about the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and approved providers, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/optin