B.C. streamlining process for child care licenses

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The province is making child care licensing easier for schools and recreation operators.

Given they’re already generally designed to be safe for kids, schools will no longer have to demonstrate they have appropriate floor space, outdoor play areas, and washrooms. They would fall under the new School Age Care on School Grounds category, which is expected to make it easier for schools to get approval.

Jennifer Blatherwick, chair of the Tri-Cities Task Force on Child care, is pleased with the change, saying it will make it easier for school boards to use school facilities.

Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA will also deal with less red tape, as they apply to offer drop-in and after-school programs. The province is introducing a Recreational Care license category. Providers licensed under this category will have fewer requirements on physical space and programming.

“For too long there were barriers to creating child care spaces on school grounds,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says these changes “will go a long way in helping both those with children and those places that offer child care programs.”