Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, has released the following statement in celebration of Child Care Month:

“Child Care Month is a time to celebrate the important role child care plays in the lives of children and their families in our economy, our neighbourhoods and our communities.

“Like many working parents, I understand the importance of accessing affordable, high-quality child care. Reliable child care gives parents and caregivers the flexibility they need to work, study and participate meaningfully in a range of opportunities. Since the introduction of Child Care BC in 2018, child care has become more affordable and more spaces are supported by more early child care educators than ever before.

“Parents are saving more, too - on average $7,200 a year, per child. That’s a huge difference for families and is helping to lighten the load of everyday essentials.  

“We’ve grown a lot in the past eight years and we are not finished yet. We’re working hard to get child care in places that are already built for kids, such as prioritizing investments on school grounds. We’ve passed a new law to make it easier for school boards to operate child care and  created a targeted fund to get those spaces up and running for the next school year. Throughout B.C. communities, 12,000 provincially funded spaces are in development.

“ChildCareBC is our Province’s first new social program in a generation and it is still in its infancy. Affordable, quality child care for every family that wants or needs it continues to be our guiding vision. While we work toward that goal, we must ensure our existing programs are meeting the needs of parents, providers, workers and communities, and our investments are maximizing the benefits for everyone involved in the system. 

“We know there is more to do to ensure the child care system is sustainable Throughout this month, the child care team and I will be engaging with child care providers and professionals to highlight how far we’ve come together and discuss the challenges people are experiencing. We will be reaching out to parents to hear directly about their priorities. Later this month, we will launch an interactive survey that will run through June 2026.  

“I want to close by thanking the incredible child care workforce. Early childhood educators, child care workers and providers are the heart of our child care system. Your dedication, skill and care ensures children are supported in safe and nurturing environments. The impact of your work is truly significant.

“I invite all people in British Columbia to join me in recognizing Child Care Month and thank everyone who plays  an essential role in supporting our kids and helping to shape the next generation.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2018, the Province has invested approximately $5.4 billion in ChildCareBC.
• Parents have saved more than $3.4 billion through B.C.’s affordability programs.
• The number of licensed child care spaces has increased by 51%, with more than 58,800 more spaces than in 2018.
• The number of certified early childhood educators in B.C. has increased by 13,500, with more than 30,200 certified early childhood educators in the province – an 81% increase from 2018.

Learn More:

Find out more about child care in B.C. here:
​https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children