British Columbia’s provincial government is allocating $366 million to expand access to quality, affordable child care and invest in early childhood educators. The funding represents an increase of nearly $200 million for the second year of the its 10-year universal child care commitment.
In its first year, the program succeeded in:
- Lowering fees for 52,000 children and their families, with many more low-income families paying low or no fees
- 2,500 children accessing $10/day pilot sites
- Giving Early Childhood Educators their first publicly-funded wage increase in almost 20 years, along with increased bursaries and education supports
- Creating new licensed programs, and upgrading existing facilities
- Converting unlicensed spaces to licensed
- Increasing supports for young parents and children with additional needs
- Meeting commitments to Indigenous-led child care on and off reserve
“This is a significant step forward,” said Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now. “It is an example of the rapid progress that can be made when a government follows through on its promises to build a child care system in full consultation with child care advocates, parents and communities.”
Tell British Columbia’s Finance Minister you support child care investments.
