ECE, not spaces, the biggest need for sustainable childcare

“There have been times where I try not to think about what I’m going to do for childcare because it’s so stressful that it’s basically a panic.”

Muir added she may have to go on social assistance, despite having a sufficient income at her current job, so she can stay home and take care of her kids. Other options some parents may come to include switching positions or jobs entirely, and settling for unsatisfactory options for their child’s care.

The main reason for the struggles seems to be Early Childhood Educators. The caretakers needed for children up to three years of age, and especially for 0-18 months. It is an issue leaving childcare workers perplexed when news drops of additional spaces with no additional incentives to work.

“One of the things that the government has done in recent years is put a bunch of money behind opening and creating new spaces but that’s not actually what we need right now. What we need is the government to invest in training,” explained Dana Mathison, Owner of Nest Academy.

In February, the City of Prince George received a report outlining needs regarding childcare in the city. Those findings confirmed a need for spaces, especially for 0-3 years and 6-12 years, and that the existing shortage of ECE trained staff is a critical issue, especially to support children who require extra services. To help, the City announced 85 new childcare spaces including 12 for infants and toddlers, 48 for school-age kids, and 25 group childcare spaces. That could open as early as next fall. The roughly $4-million dollar centre will be constructed next to the Park House Condo and will be operated by the YMCA. The Childcare BC New Spaces Fund ($3-million) and UBCM Child Care Space Creation Program ($1-million) helped to back the project and that funding stream remains open, a good sign for the City.

“We are really heartened by that,” said Chris Bone, the Senior Manager with Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships for the City of Prince George. “Although this 85 space centre that is developing will certainly address some of our targets, it won’t come near addressing the total number that we need to achieve over the next ten years.”

Bone added Prince George is home to several childcare providers waiting for the opportunity and additional infrastructure, however costly, will help to address that.

by Matt Fetinko

ECE, not spaces, the biggest need for sustainable childcare

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