More before and after school child care for parents

VICTORIA–A new legislation will allow more options for before and after school child care for parents in BC.

The new legislation will make it easier for boards of education fo deliver licensed child care for students, putting into the School Act–for the first time – recognition that school boards can directly operate before and after school care.

“Having child care on school grounds is a win for everyone – children remain in familiar surroundings throughout their day, parents save time and money, and it keeps costs down by using facilities already enriched for learning and play.”– Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.

Currently, if boards want to offer child care they have to offer it through a separate licensed provider. “I’ve heard from too many parents and experienced first-hand as a family with a school-age child, that the lack of affordable before- and after-school care in our province has meant that they cannot return to work, even after their kids start kindergarten,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care.