More parents in Maple Ridge will be able to pursue their work or education goals, thanks to 110 child care spaces opening in the coming months.

The new spaces were funded through the Province’s Child Care Rapid Renovation Fund, which provided approximately $11 million to non-profit groups, schools and other public-sector organizations to quickly create new child care spaces.

“The past 20 months have made it very clear that child care is more important than ever,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “On top of the uncertainty of the pandemic, parents had to juggle the stress of working from home while also caring for their kids or needing to make new child care arrangements. Our Child Care Rapid Renovation Fund is one way we’re quickly addressing the need for more affordable, quality child care spaces, while also funding long-term child care projects that will benefit families and communities for generations to come.”

The Province funded 110 new licensed child care spaces for families in Maple Ridge:

• Under the Tree Family Education and Support Childcare Centre Inc. in Maple Ridge anticipates opening 110 spaces by December 2021.

The Child Care Rapid Renovation Fund supported the creation of 912 new licensed child care spaces in 20 communities throughout B.C.

“Our government is committed to supporting lifelong learning and healthy families through child care programs and in schools throughout B.C.,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “The Child Care Rapid Renovation Fund gives parents more child care options within their communities, and builds on our ongoing work to ensure new child care spaces are available, accessible and affordable for all B.C. families.”

The Province is committed to bringing affordable, quality, inclusive child care to families throughout B.C. Since 2018, tens of thousands of families have benefited from better access to more affordable child care, with some parents saving as much as $1,600 a month.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2018, more than 26,000 new licensed child care spaces have been funded for families in B.C.
• The Childcare BC plan has helped parents save up to $1,600 a month, per child, for a total of more than $750 million through the Affordable Child Care Benefit and Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
• As a result of these investments, parents in the Fraser region have saved more than $153 million.
• To date, early childhood educators in the Fraser region have received more than $17 million in wage enhancements.

Learn More:

For more about Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

For information on health and safety standards for child care during COVID-19, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareCovid-19Response

Child care factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18430

Visit this site for original new release: Maple Ridge families benefit from more child care spaces | BC Gov News