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New report shows hundreds of child care spaces are needed in Campbell River

There’s a high demand for child care around town.

This comes from the new report, Planning for Child Care Space Needs, which supports the future funding of applications to create more local child care spots.

It says 40 infant and toddler spaces, 50 group care spaces for children aged 30 months to five years old, and up to 300 spaces for before and after-school care are needed within the next two years.

“These are significant numbers and will make a world of difference to families needing this type of child care,” says Joyce McMann, Family Place coordinator and board chair of the Campbell River Child Care Society. “To create these spaces will take extensive collaboration, funding and staffing.”

Local organizations can use this data to apply for child care space creation funding.

“We are appreciative of the efforts of our community partners and the support that this report provides as the district considers the possibility of pursuing the addition of childcare spaces to some SD72 schools,” says Dr. Jeremy Morrow, Schools District 72 superintendent. “This report will be a valuable consideration for the Board of Education as they determine a possible application for the district.”

The report project consulted with families and child care providers to explore child care needs.

It was funded through a provincial program and project partners included Campbell River Family Network, PacificCare Child Care Resource and Referral, Campbell River Family Services Society, School District 72 and the City of Campbell River.

“Quality, affordable accessible child care is key for early childhood development and helps reduce poverty and improve overall community quality of life,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “We want to continue to attract young families to our area, and recognize that accessible child care is a big factor when people decide where to live. Working with our community partners to access funding for new spaces is the next step in this important process.”

The province announced child care investments in 2018 totalling $1 billion over three years.

As part of this investment, $237 million was committed to create 22,000 new licensed child care spaces.

Ways the government can support child care creation and help business planning for new spaces was outlined in the report, as well as information about funding grants and early childhood education programs. 

To read the report, visit this website.

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