More child care spaces coming to schools throughout B.C.

Families in 12 communities throughout the province are benefiting from 640 new child care spaces on school grounds, expanding access to high-quality child care for young children, as well as before- and after-school care.

“As the new school year begins, hundreds of new licensed child care spaces on school grounds will make a real difference for families as they figure out their routines for the new school year,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “These spaces are the result of strong partnerships with school districts. 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.”

More than $23.5 million in ChildCareBC New Spaces funding was provided to school districts to create these new child care spaces. The New Spaces Fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. British Columbia and the federal government signed an extension to the agreement for 2026-27 until 2030-31.

“Together, we are creating hundreds of new child care spaces in schools across British Columbia,” said Anna Gainey, federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “This investment will take hundreds of children off wait lists and save parents thousands of dollars in fees. When children have the best start in life, families thrive and all Canadians benefit.”

Eighteen new centres on school grounds are opening for the return to school or have recently opened, including spaces operated by school district staff. Partnering with school districts is one way the Province is working to create new child care spaces that meet the unique needs of busy families in urban and rural communities, with one pickup and dropoff location.