Text of the press release:
Child care providers will benefit from an $8.1-million investment supporting the creation of more quality child care spaces, staff training and other service improvements, Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid announced today. "This investment will help improve the quality, capacity and accessibility of child care in British Columbia in the immediate term," said Reid. "By supporting construction, renovation and expansion projects, we are ensuring even more B.C. families have access to quality child care." Eleven organizations in eight B.C. communities will receive one-time payments totalling $1.1 million under the Child Care Capital Funding Program. This will support the creation of 236 new licensed group child care spaces, and help the recipients retain or enhance 161 existing spaces. In addition, a $7-million, one-time boost to child care operating funding will assist over 4,000 licensed child care providers during summer, when their revenues are typically lower. "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," said Reid. "This funding will give each child care provider the freedom to invest in quality improvements as they see fit. It will also contribute to the stability and sustainability of the sector." All licensed child care providers currently receiving Child Care Operating Funding are eligible for this one-time payment, which they can invest according to their individual needs and priorities. These investments may include professional development, wages and benefits, stabilizing fees, facility improvements and renovations, and purchasing equipment to improve programming. The ministry will distribute payments based on the number of child care spaces and types of care for which providers are licensed. Depending on the license categories and number of spaces for which providers are licensed, they may receive between $93 and $116 per space.