The BC NDP government is testing out 53 child care facilities that will charge parents/guardians only $10-a-day across the province. Eight of these are located on Vancouver Island.
The prototype sites will operate until March 31st, 2020 and are being funded through an investment of $60 million under the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement with the Federal government.
These facilities are expected to cost families a maximum of $200 per month per child, and feedback from the initiative will inform the government’s 10-year Child Care plan to bring permanent affordable, universal child care to BC.
“Prototype sites give us a glimpse of what the future of universal child care in B.C. can be, and are critical as we design and refine our program moving forward,” said Katrina Chen, B.C.’s Minister of State for Child Care.
“They build on the work we’ve already done to bring affordability relief to thousands of families through universal fee reductions and the Affordable Child Care Benefit.”
The following facilities on Vancouver Island have been selected as prototypes:
- Victoria: Fernwood Infant and Toddler Care
Fernwood Neighbourhood Childcare (Non-Profit)
20 spaces (Under 36 Months)
25 spaces (Age 3-5 years)
54 spaces (School-Age) - Victoria: Lexie’s Little Bears Child Care (Corporate/Limited Company)
28 spaces (Under 36 Months)
29 spaces (Age 3-5 years) - Duncan: Parkside Academy Somenos (Non-Profit)
12 spaces (Under 36 Months)
42 spaces (Age 3 -5 years)
20 spaces (Preschool)
50 spaces (School -Age) - Comox: Tigger Too Early Learning Centre (Non-Profit)
12 spaces (Under 36 Months)
23 spaces (Age 3-5 years)
20 spaces (Preschool) - Tofino: Grandma Marg’s Clubhouse (Sole Proprietor)
8 spaces (In-Home, Multi-Age) - Port Alberni: Baby Steps (Non-Profit)
20 spaces (Under 36 months) - Port Hardy: Rainbow Country Daycare (Non-Profit)
8 spaces (Under 36 Months)
20 spaces (Age 3 -5 years)
25 spaces (School -Age)
8 spaces (Group Multi -Age)
No child care facilities in Nanaimo have been selected to participate in the prototype program.
