Four elementary schools in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district started the school year with 96 new childcare spaces for before and after school, as part of a provincial pilot program.
First announced in March, the $2 million ChildCare B.C. New Spaces Fund initiative is being implemented in Chilliwack, Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Nechako Lakes school districts.
In Nanaimo-Ladysmith, the ministry of education will be providing $720,000 to operate the program at Gabriola Elementary, École Hammond Bay and Pleasant Valley Elementary. The existing 24-space before-and-after school program at Fairview Elementary has also been adopted into the program.
According to the province, the goal is expand it to other districts.
“We are grateful to the province for supporting the creation of these additional after-school childcare spaces in our district,” said Greg Keller, board chairperson of Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools, in a press release. “We know that when our students have access to childcare in their school building, it increases their sense of belonging and helps them feel welcome and safe. When students and families have the support they need, it increases students’ well-being and supports their success.”
The program will use existing school space, as well as school district resources, and will be staffed by SD68 employees.
“We are excited to begin delivering integrated before- and after-school care at public schools in Nanaimo and Ladysmith,” said Jeff Virtanen, president of CUPE 606, in the release. “This model offers safe and reliable care for kids, while offering stable employment for workers so they can better support their families, and a much-needed time-saving childcare option for parents. At a time when so many parents are facing affordability challenges, a pilot program like this has a real impact.”
The province noted that families will also benefit from the fee-reduction program, which offers funding to eligible, licensed childcare providers to reduce and stabilize monthly childcare fees. The program is anticipated to save eligible families as much as $115 per month per child.
