B.C. works to find childcare solutions ahead of fall semester
Posted July 22, 2020 4:03 pm.
Last Updated July 22, 2020 4:04 pm.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Childcare in B.C. could be a challenge when school starts up again in September, but the province says it is working on solutions.
B.C.’s plan for childcare remains up in the air if students return to a hybrid modelling of school in September, but the minister responsible says the chronic shortage for childcare is an ongoing challenge.
Q What are childcare specifics in case of hybrid model? @KatrinaCBurnaby: working with the schools, communities, providers – again mentioning existing/ongoing shortage of childcare. But ultimately hearing parents need to find in-case solutions now#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) July 22, 2020
Katrina Chen, minister of state for child care, says she understands the stress parents are feeling looking for care outside of school hours because she is one of them.
But for now, parents are left looking for what is available come fall as the province explores options should students only be in class two days a week because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re getting more parents coming back to say, ‘I really need to go to my original spot that’s currently used by essential services workers,'” Chen says, adding the province is guiding these parents towards other childcare.
Chen says she’s still not sure where they will find space, what care would look like, or who will pay for additional care with a part-time model.
“We’ll continue to definitely work together with the ministry of education and looking at opportunities for before and after school care or other types of care on school grounds to be able to support the needs of parents, but it is important to note that we’ve always had a shortage of childcare spaces in this province.”
While she notes the province has made improvements to childcare in B.C., the pandemic is an added challenge.
She says 85 per cent of centres closed and those using emergency funding are now operating again, but not all are offering full-time care.
Chen says in the past two years, the province has funded nearly 16,800 new childcare spaces. Since March, another 3,160 new licensed childcare spaces have been funded.
The education minister is expected to lay out the plan for schools next week.
