Childcare

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and a member of the Tsartlip First Nation, welcomes changes to the Ministry of Children and Family Development with Grace Lore replacing Mitzi Dean as minister. (Screencap)

B.C. opposition welcomes reset at children and family development ministry

Grace Lore is replacing Mitzi Dean, who has faced multiple calls for her resignation

 

A new study from the Centre for Family Equity suggests very few low-income, single mothers in B.C. are accessing the province’s $10-a-day child care spaces. In this file photo, children play at a daycare in Coquitlam, B.C., on March 28, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s $10-a-day child care may not be reaching those most in need, study finds

Centre for Family Equity says system should be prioritized for low-income, single mother families

 

A new report from Statistics Canada says child care was more affordable across the country in 2023, but more parents are having difficulty finding it. Children play at a daycare in Coquitlam, B.C., on Wednesday March 28, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Childcare cost less in 2023, but it was harder to find: Statistics Canada

Report shows full-time centre-based child care decreased from $663 per month to $508

 

(Getty Images file photo)

B.C. high schools accelerate path from childhood to early childhood educator

Burnaby school district finds creative way to cope with early childhood educator shortage

(Getty Images file photo)
Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)

B.C. early childhood educators get $2 New Year’s hourly pay lift

Increase raises the median hourly wage for ECEs to approximately $28

Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)
Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a daycare facility in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. An analysis by a public-policy think-tank has found that federal funding meant to bring $10-a-day child care across Canada has stumbled with a “slow start” and “underwhelming results” in three provinces where data is available. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

$30B federal childcare plan stumbles early in B.C.

Report says Ottawa’s effort to boost childcare off to ‘slow start’ in 3 provinces

Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a daycare facility in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. An analysis by a public-policy think-tank has found that federal funding meant to bring $10-a-day child care across Canada has stumbled with a “slow start” and “underwhelming results” in three provinces where data is available. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. boosts childcare funding for preschool and school-aged kids

Premier David Eby says families could save an additional $145 per month

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Back-to-school B.C. childcare gets boost of up to $145 a month

Premier David Eby says 43,000 kids and their families could benefit from the funding

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Senior levels of government have announced they will be providing North Cowichan with an $18-million grant to create 158 new childcare spaces in the municipality. (Citizen file photo)

North Cowichan receives $18M for new childcare facility

Municipality working with Parkside Academy Society on project

Senior levels of government have announced they will be providing North Cowichan with an $18-million grant to create 158 new childcare spaces in the municipality. (Citizen file photo)
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Conservative members of Parliament joined other parties to vote in favour of a bill that enshrines into law the federal government’s long-term commitment to the Canada-wide early learning and child-care system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Tories vote in favour of bill enshrining long-term funding for child-care system

Liberals earmarked $30 billion over five years in 2021 budget to set up national child-care program

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Conservative members of Parliament joined other parties to vote in favour of a bill that enshrines into law the federal government’s long-term commitment to the Canada-wide early learning and child-care system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Oliver Elementary was the first school in B.C. to trial the Seamless Day Kindergarten. (Google Maps)

B.C. pilot that turns Kindergarten classrooms into daycare spaces deemed huge success

The program integrates before- and after-school care into the kindergarten classroom

Oliver Elementary was the first school in B.C. to trial the Seamless Day Kindergarten. (Google Maps)
Milo Judd plays in the family’s garden, holding a toy that matched the size of his body when he was born. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Born weighing two pounds, toddler Milo now an Island child development ambassador

Comox Valley Child Development Association announces ambassador family

Milo Judd plays in the family’s garden, holding a toy that matched the size of his body when he was born. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
Robert De Niro performing stand up.

Robert De Niro, at 79, becomes a father for the 7th time

Robert De Niro has welcomed another child. The 79-year-old is now the…

Robert De Niro performing stand up.
Rogers Elementary in Saanich as seen on Friday, Feb. 10. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

‘We are devastated’: SD61 boots Saanich child-care centre after 32 years

School district hasn’t given child-care operator a reason

Rogers Elementary in Saanich as seen on Friday, Feb. 10. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a CEFA (Core Education and Fine Arts) Early Learning daycare franchise, in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. Families in Nunavut are now paying an average of $10 a day for child care, the first jurisdiction to achieve the goal under a Canada-wide plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

As parents celebrate lower child-care fees, will provinces keep up with demand?

Shortage of early childhood educators has been an ongoing issue

Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a CEFA (Core Education and Fine Arts) Early Learning daycare franchise, in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. Families in Nunavut are now paying an average of $10 a day for child care, the first jurisdiction to achieve the goal under a Canada-wide plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The City of Colwood has approved more than $300,000 worth of support for a new childcare facility which will have 97 childcare spaces. (Courtesy of Low Hammond Rowe Architects)

Colwood approves $300K of support to create child-care spaces

A new facility is to be built near Colwood Elementary School

The City of Colwood has approved more than $300,000 worth of support for a new childcare facility which will have 97 childcare spaces. (Courtesy of Low Hammond Rowe Architects)
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals aim to secure long-term role for feds in national child-care system

New legislation introduced, does not make any specific financial promises

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Saanich daycare kerfuffle reveals dire state of childcare in Greater Victoria

Non-refundable deposit not returned once parents learned of provider’s criminal history

Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ board has approved a pilot project for before- and after-school care for school-aged children set to begin fall 2023. (News Bulletin file)

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School to launch child care pilot next school year

Before- and after-school care will be offered to school-aged children

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ board has approved a pilot project for before- and after-school care for school-aged children set to begin fall 2023. (News Bulletin file)
Applications for B.C.’s $10-a-day child care program opened June 20. (Black Press Media file photo)

Applications open for $10-a-day child care as B.C. doubles number of spaces available

Spaces to expand from 6,500 to 12,500 by December, province says

Applications for B.C.’s $10-a-day child care program opened June 20. (Black Press Media file photo)