Families in 12 communities throughout the province are benefiting from 640 new child care spaces on school grounds, expanding access to high-quality child care for young children, as well as before- and after-school care.

“As the new school year begins, hundreds of new licensed child care spaces on school grounds will make a real difference for families as they figure out their routines for the new school year,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “These spaces are the result of strong partnerships with school districts. Together, we’re supporting parents’ access to affordable, high-quality child care where and when they need it most – close to home, right at school and in familiar settings.”

More than $23.5 million in ChildCareBC New Spaces funding was provided to school districts to create these new child care spaces. The New Spaces Fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. British Columbia and the federal government signed an extension to the agreement for 2026-27 until 2030-31.

“Together, we are creating hundreds of new child care spaces in schools across British Columbia,” said Anna Gainey, federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “This investment will take hundreds of children off wait lists and save parents thousands of dollars in fees. When children have the best start in life, families thrive and all Canadians benefit.”

Eighteen new centres on school grounds are opening for the return to school or have recently opened, including spaces operated by school district staff. Partnering with school districts is one way the Province is working to create new child care spaces that meet the unique needs of busy families in urban and rural communities, with one pickup and dropoff location.

“The staff at Surrey schools and child care providers have worked tirelessly to create warm, welcoming and safe environments for children and families throughout our community,” said Gary Tymoschuk, chair, Surrey School District (SD36). “The investments made by the federal and provincial governments in reliable, affordable child care – close to home and within school communities – will have a profoundly positive impact on Surrey.”

When the new facilities are open, families will benefit from affordable child care fees, through the Province’s fee-reduction program, which reduces the cost of child care by as much as $900 per child per month. Families that need additional support with the cost of child care may also be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit. 

Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s space-creation programs have helped to fund more than 41,500 new licensed child care spaces in B.C. Of these, 26,200 are open and providing care for families.

Quotes:

Rohini Arora, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for child care –

“For many families, the start of the school year brings a mix of excitement and stress, especially when it comes to finding child care. These new child care spaces, built in partnership with school districts, offer care that is close to home, safe and part of the school community. It means that moms, single parents and working parents can breathe a little easier and children can feel supported every step of the way.”

Adriana Arango, parent of a child attending Ta’Talu Child Care Centre –

“As a parent, I can’t stress enough how important having access to child care on school grounds is to our community. This will allow busy, working parents in Surrey to save time with only one dropoff location, while also knowing our children are in a safe, nurturing place. This isn’t good only for parents but for our whole school community, as children will become more familiar with their local school even before they start kindergarten.” 

Learn More:

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

More information about the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

For information about how to connect to services and help save money, visit the B.C. Benefits Connector:
https://gov.bc.ca/BCBenefitsConnector

For more information about Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/child-care.htm

A backgrounder follows.