More parents in Prince George will be able to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in more than 180 new licensed child care spaces, over 75 of which are expected to open by September 2021.
“As we enter the fourth year of our 10-year Childcare BC plan, thousands of families are already feeling the life-changing impact of having affordable, quality and inclusive child care,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “As we continue to build toward an inclusive universal child care system, these new spaces will make it easier for parents, especially mothers, to pursue their own goals, while also being part of B.C.’s economic recovery.”
The Province is supporting six projects that will create 182 new licensed child care spaces in Prince George. In addition, two other projects have received funding in Prince George since the launch of Childcare BC in July 2018.
New child care spaces are on the way for families at the following locations:
- Aboriginal Housing Society Family Care Centre (40 spaces)
- Carrier Sekani Family Services Daycare (38 spaces)
- Lheidli T’enneh Childcare Centre (75 spaces)
- School District No. 57 (29 spaces):
- Malaspina Childcare with YMCA (nine spaces)
- Nukko Lake Childcare (10 spaces)
- Quinson Childcare with Big Brothers Big Sisters (10 spaces)
“We are excited to be collaborating with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to create this child care centre. Not only is it centred in a one-of-a-kind urban Indigenous community in the heart of Prince George, but it will help shape the lives of children for many years to come,” said Kim Hamilton, acting executive director, Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George. “Collaboration with the Native Friendship Centre to deliver services will help families to realize their goals in the workplace and further their education as they know their children will be enveloped in a warm, nurturing environment.”
The Province has funded almost 26,000 new licensed spaces since the launch of Childcare BC – more than 6,000 of which are now open.
An additional 4,370 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, take the total number of new child care spaces funded since July 2017 to more than 29,300.
Quick Facts:
- Since July 2018, almost 26,000 new licensed child care spaces have been funded in British Columbia, including 566 in Prince George.
- The Childcare BC plan has helped parents save up to $1,600 a month, per child, for a total of over $770 million through the Affordable Child Care Benefit and Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
- As a result of these investments, parents in Prince George have saved more than $14.1 million.
- Early childhood educators in Prince George have received over $565,000 in wage enhancements.
Learn More:
For information on health and safety standards for child care during COVID-19: www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareCovid-19Response
Child care factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18430
For more about Childcare BC: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare
A backgrounder follows.