Campbell River Child Care Space Creation Report Published
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
A new report showing a need for more child care in Campbell River will support future funding applications to create more local child care spaces.
According to the recently-released report Planning for Child Care Space Needs, there’s a high demand for infant and toddler care and for before and after-school care.
The report provides a comprehensive inventory of all types of child care spaces in the community and highlights a need to create the following child care spaces within two years:
- 40 infant and toddler spaces
- 50 group care spaces for children aged 30 months to five years old
- Up to 300 spaces for before and after-school care
“These are significant numbers and will make a world of difference to families needing this type of child care,” said Joyce McMann, Family Place coordinator and board chair of the Campbell River Child Care Society. “To create these spaces will take extensive collaboration, funding and staffing.”
Local organizations can use the report data to apply for child care space creation funding, and Council has sent a letter in support of a potential application by School District 72.
“We are appreciative of the efforts of our community partners and the support that this report provides as the district considers the possibility of pursuing the addition of childcare spaces to some SD72 schools,” says Dr. Jeremy Morrow, Schools District 72 superintendent. “This report will be a valuable consideration for the Board of Education as they determine a possible application for the district.”
Funded through a provincial program, the report project consulted with families and child care providers to explore child care needs. Project partners included Campbell River Family Network, PacificCare Child Care Resource and Referral, Campbell River Family Services Society, School District 72 and the City of Campbell River.
“Quality, affordable accessible child care is key for early childhood development and helps reduce poverty and improve overall community quality of life,” said Mayor Andy Adams “We want to continue to attract young families to our area, and recognize that accessible child care is a big factor when people decide where to live. Working with our community partners to access funding for new spaces is the next step in this important process.”
In 2018, the Province of British Columbia announced child care investments totalling $1 billion over three years. As part of this investment, $237 million was committed to create 22,000 new licensed child care spaces.
The report outline ways government can support child care creation. It can also help business planning for new spaces and provides information about funding grants and early childhood education programs.
Find more information please visit rcfamilynetwork.ca or campbellriver.ca/childcare