WHEREAS the UBCM has consistently endorsed resolutions prioritizing affordable, accessible early learning and childcare; AND WHEREAS with only enough spaces for 20 of BC children and fees as high as 1,915 per month, access to high quality, affordable early childcare and learning is a crisis for many working families and a concern that thousands of British Columbians have expressed: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the provincial government work to improve access to high quality, affordable early child care and learning and list it among their top priorities.
Ministry of Children and Family Development The Province of British Columbia is committed to supporting children and families by a strong network of coordinated, family-centered, culturally relevant and responsive early childhood development and child care services. The Province recognizes that all children require nurturing and enriching experiences throughout their early years in order to thrive and reach their full potential. The Province continues to support high quality affordable child care while maintaining choice for parents and has increased the number of child-care spaces in British Columbia by nearly 40 percent since 200304, with more than 100,000 licensed child care spaces receiving ongoing government funding. The Province continues to examine strategies that will provide families with a range of accessible, quality child care and early learning opportunities. The Families First Agenda for BC seeks citizen input on the best approaches to early childhood development and care. In 2012, the Ministry of Children and Family Development hosted a child care forum and an early childhood development forum to seek input from stakeholders. The input from citizens will build on the feedback received from stakeholders and will support ministry work moving forward. The Province is focused on finding ways to meet the unique needs of British Columbias children and families and will continue to work closely with other ministries, parents and communities to create a strong foundation for early childhood development, early learning and child care.