Whereas a significant portion of childcare spaces in many communities are provided by small, private childcare operators, which play a critical role in ensuring accessible and diverse childcare options, particularly in rural and underserved areas; And whereas current government childcare programs, such as the New Spaces Fund, primarily prioritize non-profit, public, and Indigenous providers, limiting access for small private providers and creating financial barriers that may reduce overall childcare availability: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the provincial government to: 1. Expand incentives and financial supports indicated in Budget 2025 for non-profit, public, and Indigenous childcare providers to also include small private childcare operators; 2. Ensure that any public investment into the construction of public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and libraries, includes dedicated childcare spaces to address growing demand; 3. Provide funding, establish partnerships, and develop initiatives to support the recruitment, training, and certification of Early Childhood Educators ECEs, including specialized training for infant-toddler and special needs care; and 4. Improve communication policies with private childcare providers, ensuring they are actively engaged in policy development and funding allocation discussions.
Ministry of Education and Child Care Thank you for your resolution containing four requests pertaining to: equitable access for private child care providers; public infrastructure integration; Early Childhood Educator ECE workforce development; and improved communication. 1. Equitable Access for Private Child Care Providers BCs child care sector is diverse and includes thousands of individual programs and organizations, including non profit, public, for profit private, and home based providers. The Province values the essential role each of these providers plays in delivering licensed child care and supporting children, families, and communities throughout BC. With the exception of the New Spaces Fund NSF, private providers are able to access all ChildCareBC operating funding programs, including Child Care Operating Funding CCOF, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative CCFRI, and the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement ECE WE. Eligible families may also access the Affordable Child Care Benefit in both private and non profit settings. Governments decision in 2021 to limit NSF eligibility to public and non profit organizations was made to ensure that capital investments support assets that remain in communities over the long term. This approach aligns with practices in most other Canadian jurisdictions, as well as with Canadas priorities under federal child care agreements. Private providers opening licensed child care facilities in their personal residence continue to be eligible for the Start Up Grants program, which provides 500 toward the costs of becoming licensed and an additional 500 per space once a valid Community Care and Assisted Living Act licence has been issued and the provider is actively participating in CCOF and, where applicable, CCFRI. Together, these programs reflect the Provinces commitment to supporting a strong, stable, and diverse child care sector one that provides families with access to high quality, affordable care regardless of provider type or location. 2. Public Infrastructure Integration The Province is expanding child care spaces in costeffective ways by integrating them into new capital projects such as schools, hospitals, and housing developments. The Environmental Social Governance Framework for Capital ESGFC guides the delivery of key government priorities, such as child care, through the development of provincial taxpayer-supported projects. For example, when school districts request new or replacement schools, they must work with their local communities to determine how neighbourhood learning centre funding can be best used, including considering whether to incorporate new child care spaces. 3. ECE Workforce Development Qualified ECEs are central to delivering high-quality, inclusive and culturally based child care. They make it possible for families to rely on child care as a core service, and the successful maintenance and expansion of licensed spaces depends on a stable, skilled workforce. Through ChildCareBC and the Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, government has taken significant action to recruit, train, and retain ECEs. These actions include reducing the cost of education, expanding ECE seats in public post-secondary institutions, enhancing wages, and improving access to training and professional development opportunities. ECEs working in eligible licensed child care settings may currently receive a wage enhancement of up to 6hour, along with a Specialized Certification Grant of 2,000 or 3,000 if they hold one or both post-basic certifications Infant Toddler andor Special Needs Educator. Government is also supporting not-for-profit organizations to expand access to high-quality professional development. Early data indicates these investments are having a positive impact. Since 2019, sector employment in BC has grown by 62 percent, double the national increase of 31 percent, resulting in more than 8,000 new early learning and child care professionals. Over the same period, average ECE wages have risen from 19hour to 30hour. The ministry recognizes that further action is required to meet the growing demand for ECEs and other members of the child care workforce. Work is ongoing to identify and deliver supports that will help sustain and strengthen the workforce in the years ahead. 4. Improved Communication Government engages with private child care providers on policy decisions and funding allocation discussions through multiple channels and continues to evolve its communications and engagement strategies to support the child care sector. Private providers are represented on multiple advisory groups that inform policy decisions and program development. The Provincial Child Care Council provides advice and expertise on ChildCareBC policies and programs and includes membership from sector partners and child care providers from throughout the Province. Private child care providers are also represented on the Communications Advisory Group, which provides government with input on communications related to ChildCareBC policy and program changes. Private child care providers can join the Child Care Sector Engagement Pool to receive tailored engagement opportunities and share feedback. The Province also consults regularly with interest holders, including private providers, and uses feedback to guide early learning and child care decisions. Updates on ChildCareBC programs are shared through publications like the ChildCareBC Bulletin.