Families in Burnaby will benefit from 75 new licensed child care spaces as part of an innovative partnership that will provide culturally inclusive, affordable housing and child care in one location – one of the first purpose-built projects of this kind.

“In communities like Burnaby, finding quality, affordable housing and child care are two of the biggest obstacles parents face,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care and MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed. “This unique partnership will help local low- and middle-income families find the culturally inclusive supports they need to re-enter the workforce, go back to school or pursue new opportunities – things that can’t happen without quality child care.”

Through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, and in partnership with BC Housing, the Province is supporting S.U.C.C.E.S.S. to create licensed child care spaces as part of a new affordable housing project in Burnaby. The project, which is scheduled to start construction in August 2021 and is expected to open in October 2023, will provide 161 rental homes for families and seniors, a child care centre with outdoor play area, senior care and social services.

“We are grateful for the Province’s investment into the development of new child care spaces,” said Queenie Choo, CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. “Every day, more families are choosing to settle in Burnaby, a diverse and vibrant community. Our service approach to integrate child care services with affordable housing and other community social services at 3802 Hastings St. will empower families to build stronger social and community connections. As a result, diverse families will experience an increased sense of belonging, well-being and inclusion in the growing community of Burnaby.”

Since the launch of the Childcare BC plan in February 2018, the Province has funded more than 20,000 new licensed spaces, supporting 780 new spaces each month on average. These new spaces are helping parents return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities to help support their families. 

These new spaces are part of the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.’s history. An additional 4,110 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, mean more than 24,500 new licensed spaces have been funded since July 2017.

Investing in child care and early childhood education is a shared priority between government, the BC Green Party caucus and Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North –

“With child care and affordable housing in one location, parents will have a shorter commute each day and children will learn, play and make friends in their own neighbourhood. These new spaces will support a stronger, more inclusive and more affordable community for people in Burnaby.”

Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby –

“By bringing the services that families rely on, like child care and affordable housing, right into the heart of our community, we can ensure Burnaby continues to be a growing and thriving city. These much-needed spaces will make a world of difference to Burnaby residents and will continue to support the community for generations to come.”

Learn More:

For information on health and safety standards for child care, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareCovid-19Response 

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

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

For more information on child care in Burnaby, visit:

www.ymcastrongfoundations.org/Programs/Child-Care/Child-Care-Information-and-Referrals

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

A backgrounder follows.