Parents in Delta searching for child care now have relief with 107 new licensed spaces in two new child care centres.

The new licensed centres received a total of $296,135 through the Province’s Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.

“Families in Delta have needed more quality, licensed child care spaces for a long time,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “With some help from the New Spaces Fund, many more parents now have the freedom to pursue opportunities – like work, school or starting a business – that seemed out of reach before.”

Core Education and Fine Arts (CEFA) Early Learning Centre South Delta received $246,386 to help it create 80 new licensed spaces – 40 for infants and toddlers, and 40 for children aged 30 months to school age. Indigenous culture will be part of the daily curriculum, and Elders from the Tsawwassen First Nation will visit and share their stories and traditions. The centre will also provide children with extra prepared food to take home for families that may need the support.

Kids Zone Child Care received $49,749 to help create 27 new licensed spaces – 10 for infants and toddlers, and 17 for children aged 30 months to school age. The organization, which currently operates two other centres in Surrey, brings its experience to the new facility in Delta – a fully accessible centre that includes a wheelchair ramp and purpose-built washrooms to accommodate children with extra support needs.

“Investing in early childhood education with quality child care is so important because 85% of brain development occurs before the age of five,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “Creating more quality, licensed child care spaces is absolutely vital and is part and parcel of our Childcare BC plan.”

Under the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, child care providers can apply at any time throughout the year under a new continuous application process.

The Childcare BC New Spaces Fund is part of the Province’s Childcare BC plan and supports its commitment to give B.C. families access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care when they want or need it. Since July 2018, the Province has funded more than 4,000 new licensed child care spaces through Childcare BC’s space-creation programs. More new spaces will be announced as projects are approved.

Investing in child care and early childhood education is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

May Wong, administrator, Core Education and Fine Arts Early Learning Centre, South Delta –

“Without the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, our program would not have been able to expand and support the families in South Delta. Children at our centre will be provided the freedom to develop and grow. Among the curriculum we feature is our unique 'I Contribute to the World' program, which emphasizes the benefits of recycling and donating.”

Balvinder Saroya, owner, Kids Zone, Delta –

“We are thankful to the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund for supporting the creation of new spaces in South Delta. We strongly believe that by providing a rich, meaningful and positive early learning experience, we are able to provide our children with the tools necessary to reach their full potential.”

Learn More:

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

To learn more about the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and to apply, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

To find child care in your community, view the online child care map: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/ccf/

Child care factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18430

Parents who need information about choosing child care – or want a list of registered and licensed child care centres in their area – can get help through their local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre or by visiting: www.ccrr.bc.ca/