B.C. Government Announces Nearly 1,200 New Child-Care Spaces Across 22 School Districts

The British Columbia government has announced plans to create nearly 1,200 new licensed before-and-after-school child-care spaces across 22 school districts, including Surrey.

Under the initiative, Peace Arch Elementary and Theresa Clarke Elementary in the Surrey School District will each receive 24 new child-care spaces.

B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said the time before and after school can be particularly challenging for parents who are balancing work and family responsibilities. Having child care available directly within school grounds will provide families with convenient access to high-quality care in a trusted location.

The project is being supported by $5 million in provincial funding through the Ministry of Infrastructure. The government expects the 1,200 new child-care spaces to open next year.

The initiative will also include three schools each in the Vancouver and Abbotsford school districts.