BC’s Childcare Investments Are Commendable. Now It’s Time to Double Down

Taking stock of the government’s efforts, and what’s still needed.

Sharon Gregson 8 Jan 2020 | TheTyee.ca

This month marks almost two years since the BC NDP government, supported by the Greens, launched “Childcare BC” to fulfill the campaign promise of providing universal, affordable childcare within 10 years.

So what has changed for children and families? For the first time in a generation, the childcare chaos is being addressed with new historic investments. More than 50,000 families are paying lower fees, and many are paying $10 a day or less; 10,000 new licensed spaces have been created or are under development; and early childhood educators are receiving wage increases.

These essential investments were possible because in Budget 2018, Finance Minister Carole James (who fortunately understands childcare) and her colleagues prioritized three years of funding for childcare. As we enter the third year of that $1.3-billion investment, it’s time for government to look to Budget 2020 and beyond to build on their accomplishments. Much more remains to be done.

Government needs to strengthen its policies in order to fulfill its commitment to build a quality, affordable childcare system — a system that 90 per cent of British Columbians confirmed is important in a 2019 Research Co. poll.

There are solutions, based on research and evidence, that advocates used to create the $10aDay Plan. They built province-wide, cross-sectoral support for public investment in a strong childcare system where educators are fairly paid.

The system detailed in the $10aDay Plan serves children well with high-quality early care and learning opportunities, provides parents with the services they need and ensures respect for educators. It’s also good for the economy as more parents, especially mothers, are able to fully participate in the workforce.To date, there have been significant new Indigenous childcare investments that respect Indigenous leadership. Government has also implemented five key public policy changes that will help B.C. achieve its goals and leave a lasting legacy.

1. $10aDay prototype sites: 53 childcare programs across B.C. where families are already paying no more than $10 a day.

2. Fee reduction initiative: An across-the-board reduction of fees for all families participating in full-day licensed childcare programs.

3. Wage enhancements and workforce investments for early childhood educators.

4. Capital expansion of licensed spaces that prioritize new spaces with public partners, like school districts.

5. A minister dedicated to leading the work on childcare.

Read the article in The Tyee here...

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The BC government is committed to creating 24,000 new licensed child care spaces by 2021. Consistent with $10aDay Plan recommendations, government is encouraging partnerships with public partners (school districts, municipalities) to help achieve this goal. However, government continues to rely on two expensive, risky, and unaccountable policies implemented by the previous government.

First, current capital expansion relies on inviting applications from others (non-profit, for-profit, and public sector organizations) to independently create new spaces. This reactive approach does not allow government to achieve economies of scale or cost effective investments in public infrastructure, nor does it ensure that spaces are created and maintained where the need is greatest. Even more worrisome, BC is the only province in Canada providing significant capital funds to create new child care facilities owned by for-profit businesses. Significant public funds are going into the acquisition of private assets rather than into publicly planned, owned and operated facilities. These approaches undermine government’s commitment to universal child care. The international evidence is clear. In countries with universal access to child care, the majority of services are publicly funded and delivered .

COLUMN: Good business key to a great community: The Chamber

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Catherine Holt shares her thoughts on 2019

"After housing, child care is the largest expense for working families. The Chamber applauded the provincial government for investing in 22,000 licensed child care spaces in the province. The Chamber has called on the province to deliver universal child care to ensure working parents can fully participate in the labour market. Again, we were happy when the province announced a pilot program to test $10-per-day child care at 50 sites.

Read the full article here...

Here's an important update to read on the Effective Expansion of Licensed Child Care in BC...

Province adds 260 more childcare spaces in Greater Victoria

144 spaces will be located at elementary schools

NICOLE CRESCENZI

The provincial government will add 260 more childcare spaces in the Capital Region, ranging from daycare to after school care.

Of the spaces, 144 will be located at three elementary schools: Braefoot Elementary, Lampson Elementary and Oaklands Elementary. The other 116 will be at the Oasis Day Care, Little Wild early Learning and Maple Tree Children’s Centre.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is investing in child care spaces on school grounds so parents can access high-quality child care they can rely upon in one convenient location,” said BC Education Minister Rob Fleming. “Our government and school districts are working together, so children in early childhood education programs can ease into the school environment and feel familiar and comfortable when they transition into kindergarten.”

Of these spots, Fleming promised some will be part of the $10 per day childcare pilot, which the province hopes to extend beyond March 2021. Exact numbers of how many spots would be within this pilot were not available. Fleming did add, however, that more spaces are also coming down the line.

Read the full article here...

Province funds new childcare spaces at Campbell River learning centre

Troy Landreville

The province says it’s investing in affordable childcare.

Through Childcare BC’s New Spaces Fund, Island Life Early Learning Centre in Campbell River will see 12 new infant/toddler spaces. 

Located within the Salvation Army community church, the centre offers a number of services for families, including support for those who are new to Canada and Indigenous language programming. 

The centre also plans to host monthly guest speaker nights where parents can learn more about child development, nutrition and health.

North Island MLA Claire Trevena said the NDP government has a fundamental belief that investing in kids and early learning is “a great start.”

“We’re committed to creating childcare spaces right across the province, with bringing down the cost of childcare for parents, and making it much more accessible for families,” Trevena said. 

Read the full article here...

A Mother's Story

When I had my first baby, I enjoyed my time at home but as my parental leave came to an end I began to frantically search for child care. I contacted the local CCRR and
looked at various options. I was not impressed with the cost of childcare and the lack of quality I saw. I kept my child at home and took care of my niece to make ends meet. I was fortunate enough to receive help from family while I worked part-time in the evenings and on weekends.

When my second child was born my first attended preschool for a few hours a week. I was thankful for the short relief but as a university student and a mother with a newborn it was not enough support. I found myself often stressed and sick. I desperately called day care programs where I left my child’s name on the waitlist. Many daycare and preschool programs denied my child entry because he was not fully toilet trained at age 3. It hurt me deeply as a mother and educator to find many programs practicing exclusion based on their ‘toileting policy.’ In the time I stayed home with my two children I grew increasingly anxious about not being able to find child care.

SRDC wants to hear how BC’s Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy has impacted you and those who work with you.

The survey is intended for everyone in the child care workforce plus educators and educator assistants holding certificates but not currently working with children. More information is available at ecebc.ca/2019Survey. You can also contact SRDC at [email protected] or 1-833-298-3016.

Click here or on the link below to share your thoughts and help inform the future of child care in BC. Please forward this invitation to others in the sector.

Every person completing the survey will receive a choice of thank you gift developed by ECEBC and will also have the chance to win prizes!

This is the link to the survey: https://na1se.voxco.com/SE/99/bcchildcaresurvey2019/

SRDC looks forward to hearing from everyone in the sector, please spread the word!

Parents feel squeezed by child-care costs. Here’s where they want help