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For The Record

CHILD CARE IN B.C.

March 27, 2009
Ministry of Children and Family Development
 
Letters to the Editor

British Columbia’s child care system provides parents with a range of options to meet the diverse needs of their families and makes child care affordable for those who need it most – low and moderate income families.

  • B.C. will spend $300 million this year on child care on:
    • creating new licensed spaces;
    • operating funds to help child care providers maintain quality spaces;
    • child care subsidies for low and moderate income parents;
    • added support to families of children with special needs; and
    • assistance and incentives for early childhood educators.
  • Since 2001, the major capital funding program for child care has supported the creation of more than 6,500 new licensed spaces.
  • More than 3,000 new licensed child care spaces are opening or already operating across the province – more than 1,000 spaces in the last year alone – as the result of direct investment from the provincial government in the past two years.
  • We have developed a partnership with BC Housing to create more than 200 spaces in existing or planned social housing developments - spaces that will, in turn, allow lower-income families to access job and training opportunities knowing their children are safe and well cared for.
  • Health Authorities estimate that almost 200 additional spaces have been created across the province as a result of regulation changes.
  • The B.C. Government funds approximately 90,000 child care spaces throughout British Columbia - twice as many spaces as in 2001.
  • Significant resources have been focused on helping low and moderate income families. The subsidy threshold has been increased from $21,000 to $38,000, providing support to about 50,000 children each year.
  • B.C.’s supported child development program enables nearly 9,000 children with special needs to  participate in child care in inclusive settings. This is up from 5,800 three years ago. Special needs supplements also help families with additional costs and needs associated with child care.
  • Last year, we registered more than 900 early childhood educators bringing our provincial staffing level to more than 10,000 actively licensed educators. 
  • These programs and services are part of the Province’s commitment to continue to build a child care system that provides options for families, quality care for children, and support for B.C.’s child care providers.
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Letters to the Editor

Oct. 29, 2009
Letter to the Editor
INFANT DEVELOPMENT ADVISERS AND THE WAY FORWARD
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: Published, Nov. 2, 2009
There is no question that the Office of the Provincial Advisor for Infant Development Programs has done an outstanding job in supporting the development of these community-based services in the province of B.C. for the past 35 years. Nevertheless, these are coordinating and administrative roles which can be fulfilled without separate offices...[Read More]

Oct. 2, 2009
Letter to the Editor
ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY AUTISM SERVICES WILL CONTINUE
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Kamloops This Week
Status: Published Oct. 7, 2009
I am writing in response to your article in the Oct. 1, 2009 edition, "The problem is, Campbell and Polak just don't get it"... [Read More]

Sept. 10, 2009
Letter to the Editor
MINISTRY ADDRESSES BUDGET PRESSURES IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Times-Colonist; Kelowna Daily Courier; Vernon Daily Courier; Cranbrook Daily Townsman; Kimberley Daily Bulletin; Prince Rupert Daily News; Penticton Herald; Dawson Creek Daily; Trail Daily Times
Status: Published in Cranbrook Daily Townsman and Kimberley Daily Bulletin
The Ministry of Children and Family Development is not immune to budget pressures. However, I am extremely proud of the thoughtful way in which the ministry has addressed this challenge... [Read More]

Aug. 22, 2009
Letter to the Editor
SUPPORTING ABORIGINAL FAMILIES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Times-Colonist
Status: Not published
As an August 20th editorial ("Aboriginal child welfare begins in the village") acknowledged, government has a role in working with Aboriginal communities to support a safer, healthier future for Aboriginal children... [Read More]

Aug. 17, 2009
Letter to the Editor
B.C. LIBERALS CONTINUE TO TACKLE CHILD POVERTY
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: Published Aug. 20, 2009
I am writing in response to your August 17th article by Seth Klein ("Why is B.C. so stubborn when it comes to poverty reduction?") regarding child poverty issues... [Read More]

Aug. 7, 2009
Letter to the Editor
DAY CARE A PRIORITY FOR B.C. LIBERAL GOVERNMENT
By Mary Polak
Minister of Children and Family Development
Submitted: Vancouver Courier
Status: Not published
I am writing in response to Tom Sandborn's August 7th article, "Children too low on government priority list." I want to be very clear – there is no change in the province's funding for the Phil Bouvier centre, there have been no funds withdrawn and there are no cutbacks... [Read More]