More families in Port Moody will have access to affordable and high-quality child care through 150 new licensed child care spaces at the former Ioco school.

“By working together with School District No. 43 and our federal partners, we are creating more child care spaces in Port Moody that meet the needs of families,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “These new spaces, located on a former school site, will give parents more flexibility to pursue personal goals while knowing their children learn and play in safe environments.”

The new spaces were made possible by $13.9 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. This 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.

“Government of Canada investments like these in affordable child care spaces are good for families, good for children and good for Port Moody communities,” said Anna Gainey, Canada’s Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “We’re working with the Government of British Columbia and all partners to ensure that children and families have access to high-quality early learning. When children have the best start in life, families thrive and all Canadians benefit.”

The new child care centre will include 36 spaces for infants and toddlers, 66 spaces for children ages three to five and 48 spaces for school-age child care.

“School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) is pleased to receive provincial funding to support a new child care centre in Port Moody (Ioco Road),” said Michael Thomas, board chair, SD43. “This child care centre will expand access to safe, affordable, high-quality care for local families. Early learning opportunities help young children build confidence, develop routines and ease the transition into kindergarten. We’re grateful for the continued partnership in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where children can learn, grow and feel a strong sense of belonging.”

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.

Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s space-creation programs have helped fund more than 41,500 new licensed child care spaces in B.C., with more than 26,200 of those spaces now open. Funding the creation of new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care for families.

Quotes:

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

“Transforming a former school site into new child care spaces are the type of creative solutions that are we pursuing to ensure working families have access to high quality care close to home. Through strong collaboration with our partners, we’re continuing to deliver a record number of spaces across B.C., allowing families to breathe a little easier, empowering parents to return to work and providing safe and reliable spaces for children to learn and grow.”

Rick Glumac, MLA, Port-Moody-Burquitlam –

“Long ago, children in Port Moody used this site for learning and now children will use this site again, this time for child care. By working with the Coquitlam School District and federal partners, we’re creating child care spaces close to home for families to access in a seamless way.”

Learn More:

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

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

For more information on the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/british-columbia-canada-wide-2021.html