"Having access to this program will make a major impact for our family."
Port Coquitlam resident Marie-Chantale Bédard is one of many parents across the Tri-Cities likely feeling relief today (Nov. 1) as the province has unveiled a major switch for dozens of child care facilities.
In a release, the government's ChildCareBC program is set to offer $10 a day to more than 1,370 spaces in an effort to potentially save hundreds of dollars for families each year amid the rising cost of living.
According to the province, five facilities in the Tri-Cities are going to be part of the conversion, which, on average, aims to reduce the cost of child care down to $200 a month from $1,000.
"It will allow us to adjust somewhat to the increasing cost of living in B.C., save additional funds for our child's post-secondary education and, most importantly, spend more quality time as a family — which we all know has no price," Bédard added. Her child currently attends Les P'tits Lutins daycare in Port Coquitlam.
"We are beyond grateful for the $10-a-day program and look forward to the financial peace of mind this will bring our family and to all of our day care families."
The regional centres participating include the following:
Coquitlam
- Hami’s Playhouse Infant and Toddler (sole proprietor)
- 1158 Hansard Cres.
- Under 36 months
- Kid’s Cottage Daycare Society (not-for-profit)
- 2601 Lougheed Hwy.
- Under 36 months
- Ages three to five
- School age
- Shining Star Daycare (not-for-profit)
- 2665 Runnel Dr.
- Under 36 months
- 30 months to school age
- School age
- Preschool
Port Moody
- Seaview Montessori (corporate/limited company)
- 1215 Cecile Dr.
- Under 36 months
- Ages three to five
- School age
Port Coquitlam
- Les P'tits Lutins (not-for-profit)
- 3550 Wellington St.
- Under 36 months
- 30 months to school age
Les P'tits director Danielle Fakim believes the initiative is a great addition for the local families that participate in its services.
"As a not-for-profit child care centre, our focus has always been to offer quality child care services to our francophone families at reasonable rates," said Fakim.
"When the opportunity arose to apply for the government implemented $10-a-day program, we knew that this would greatly support our existing families as well as the many others on our waiting list. We are pleased to have been accepted into the program and look forward to continuing to offer educational child care services to our growing francophone community at significantly reduced monthly fees."
Applications from local child care facilities to join the $10-a-day program needed to be submitted by Aug. 18.
However, it's possible that more spaces will be approved for the switch as more are being reviewed by the province.
By the end of 2022, the B.C. government is anticipating to approve roughly 12,500 affordable and accessible child care spaces.
"The cost of child care can be a barrier for parents who are pursuing education or career goals. By lowering child care fees, we're saving parents hundreds of dollars each month and ensuring they can support their families," said Port Coquitlam MLA and deputy B.C. premier Mike Farnworth.
"Affordable child care is more important than ever with inflation making life more expensive for everyone," added Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Fin Donnelly.
In Budget 2021, the province promised to convert 4,000 more to the ChildCareBC program and has since invested $2.7 billion to the plan.
As well, the federal government is contributing $3.2 billion over five years to child care in B.C.
