SURREY – On July 15, the BC Government announced funding increases for childcare spaces. A significant increase in funding will help public-sector and non-profit organizations create more publicly owned and operated child care spaces in BC communities.
The maximum funding amount available from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund to public-sector organizations, such as local governments, school districts, tribal councils and First Nations governments, is increasing to $3 million per project, up from $1 million. Additionally, non-profit organizations – including Indigenous organizations – will be eligible for up to $1.5 million per project, three times more than was previously available.
“Quality child care is important to business to help address the skills gap,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
“Businesses can also take ownership of our child care shortages by either providing a child care centre on-site or partnering with local governments and non-profits to open new facilities.”
“Employers can see a return on quality early childhood care education in their employees when they come to work and don’t have to worry about child care,” she added. “That is a return on investment to the employer. Further, investments in child care and early childhood educator trainers will pay dividends to Surrey’s and BC’s economy.”
The Surrey Board of Trade has been advocating for needed investments in childcare spaces since 2006.
As a member of Surrey’s Childcare Task Force, the Surrey Board of Trade will continue to monitor and ask for action in the following areas:
1. Invest in local child care resources and support services to families, child care providers, and employers through additional funding to meet growth needs and develop an immediate space creation plan for the non-profit sector. Surrey is still catching up as our population continues to grow;
2. Invest in local Early Childhood Education training spaces in partnership with high quality public educational providers in Surrey;
3. Invest in increased Fraser Health Authority quality control licensing resources to facilitate and keep up with growth in child care licensing applications and support regulatory functions to mitigate pressures on child care quality and reduce risks to children in child care; and,
4. Develop a universal child care system to increase affordability, quality, accessibility and comprehensiveness of child care services for BC children and families. Furthermore, consult with and invest in child care that addresses the needs of Indigenous children and families.
-30-
For more information on the Surrey Board of Trade’s Childcare policy visit https://businessinsurrey.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SBOT-Resolution-Childcare-FINAL-1.pdf
Anita Huberman – 604-634-0342
anita@businessinsurrey.com
