Some Kootenay families won’t have to scout for a babysitter much longer after a new investment from the government.
Elkford’s Rocky Mountain Elementary and Castlegar Primary After School Care are each receiving 12 new childcare spaces through ChildCareBC’s New Spaces fund.
The investment is jointly supported by provincial and federal funding under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
“These spaces are the result of strong partnerships with school districts,” said Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare.
“Together, we’re supporting parents’ access to affordable, high-quality child care where and when they need it most – close to home, right at school and in familiar settings.”
Through the program, school partners are able to provide affordable care with monthly cost reductions of up to $900 per child, with additional support available to families eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
More than $23.5 million was allocated to a total of 18 new centres across B.C.
All spaces are set to open for the back-to-school season.
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