FAMILIES in Surrey and Delta will have access to 508 new licensed child care spaces as part of the Province’s ongoing commitment to increasing child care through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“These investments will make a difference in the lives children and families in Surrey, said Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley, on Monday. “With wheelchair accessible facilities and supports for children with special needs, our support for organizations like the Octopus Academy will bring more vibrant and accessible child care to our community.”
Childcare BC’s New Spaces Fund is supporting the following nine child care projects to create a total of 156 infant/toddler spaces, 294 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 20 preschool spaces, 30 school-age spaces and eight multi-age spaces:
* Rothewood Academy (Surrey) – 172 spaces
* CEFA South Surrey Morgan Crossing – 90 spaces
* Baby Acorns (Surrey) – 8 spaces
* Gobind Sarvar Preschool and Afterschool Care (Surrey) – 50 spaces
* Octopus Academy Surrey -14 spaces
* Tiny Hoppers Early Learning South Surrey – 90 spaces
* Al-Kawthar Childcare Centre (Surrey) – 28 spaces
* South Delta Wee Clubhouse – 16 spaces
* Alphabetz Daycare (Delta) – 40 spaces
“For far too long, families in Delta have struggled to access child care,” said Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North. “The announcement of new child care spaces across Delta means more families will have access to this vital service, allowing more parents to participate in our community and economy while their children are cared for.”
July 2020 marks the second anniversary of the launch of the New Spaces Fund, which has approved an average of 700 new spaces for funding each month. So far, nearly 16,800 new spaces have been funded throughout the province, helping parents return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities, according to the government.
“Providing quality, affordable and inclusive child care goes hand in hand with a strong, vibrant economy,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “By funding nearly 16,800 new licensed spaces throughout the province, our government is helping more parents return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities knowing that when they drop their kids off in the morning, they’ll get the nurturing support they need to grow and thrive.”
These new spaces are part of the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.͛s history. An additional 4,100 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, means that more than 20,900 new
licensed spaces have been funded since July 2017, according to the government.
