Popular $10aDay Plan is the template for building quality, universal child care across BC over 10 years.

Click here to access this press release in PDF format.

We are pleased to see Budget 2019 confirms a funding increase of almost $200 million in Year 2 of the BC government’s universal child care commitment, with $366 million to continue expanding access to quality, affordable child care. Already:

• Families of more than 52,000 children are benefitting from lower fees, with many lower income families paying low or no fees.
• 2,500 children are in $10/day in prototype sites.
• Early Childhood Educators see their first publicly-funded wage increase in almost 20 years, along with increased bursaries and education supports.
• New licensed programs are being created, existing facilities being upgraded, unlicensed spaces becoming licensed, young parent programs and children with additional needs are benefiting from increased funding.
• Importantly, the BC government has confirmed its commitment to Indigenous-led child care on and off reserve.

“Families and educators are benefiting from key elements of the $10aDay Plan” notes Sharon Gregson, Spokesperson for the $10aDay Campaign. “We’re definitely on our way to quality affordable child care in BC!”

Unfortunately, decades of child care chaos can’t be solved overnight. Based on the $10aDay Plan, we’ll still be advocating for:

• Increasing wages for Early Childhood Educators, to address the recruitment and retention crisis. “This must be a priority” says Emily Gawlick, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Educators of BC.
• Creating new child care programs with public partners and non-profits, as parents across BC are still desperate for access to quality licensed care.
• Lowering parent fees, with more $10/day prototype sites & universal fee reductions

“We also recommend a separate capital budget, so that child care is part of BC’s infrastructure investment, just like hospitals and schools” confirms Lynell Anderson, CPA, CGA and $10aDay Researcher. “This would be facilitated by moving child care to the Ministry of Education, as we have long advised – and as most other Canadian provinces have done.”

- 30 –

Sharon Gregson 604-505-5725 [email protected]
Emily Gawlick 778-994-8001 [email protected]
Lynell Anderson 604-313-6904 [email protected]