Extra funding for every licensed child-care
provider in the province to help them get ready for the new school year.
A brand new day-care building for the Bridge River Indian Band in Lillooet.
Equipment for a new group day care in Colwood, on Vancouver Island.
Restoration and renovation of a heritage home in Langley, which will
create 20 pre-school spaces.
These are among the projects made possible by $8.1 million in one-time
funding provided this month to day cares around B.C. – with more investments
to come.
In all, the provincial government funding will help create 236 child-care
spaces, and improve or retain another 161, in eight B.C. communities, as
well as providing about $100 in extra support for every one of the licensed
child-care spaces in the province.
Linda Reid, Minister of State for Child Care, made the announcement in
Richmond.
“By supporting construction, renovation and expansion projects, we
are putting child care within reach for more of the B.C. families that need
it most,” Reid said. “Further investments in the system will
be possible soon, when we conclude a child-care agreement with the federal
government.”
Eleven organizations received the payments from the Ministry of Children
and Family Development’s child-care capital funding program.
As well, a one-time boost to operating funding helped child-care providers
during the summer, when revenues are typically lower, and gave them extra
resources to prepare for the new school year. The extra dollars can be used
for such things as professional development, wages and benefits, or stabilizing
fees, and will be provided automatically to every licensed child-care provider
in the province.
“When young children experience a variety of good learning activities
in positive, safe environments, it prepares them for success in school and
makes them happier and more confident,” Reid said. “This funding
will give child-care providers the freedom to invest in their facilities
as they see fit.” |
