Daycares across the Peace Region are poised to benefit from the federal government’s $10-a-day child care initiative, with over $62 million being invested to create new licensed childcare spaces across British Columbia.
Among the new spaces are eight additions at Little Kritters Daycare, located on Hilltop Road in Charlie Lake. The spaces will become available as existing children transition to kindergarten, with onboarding based on the daycare’s existing waitlist, according to owner Laura Kassian.
The Little Kritters expansion is part of 770 new childcare spaces being introduced across the province between March and April.
In Dawson Creek, 44 spaces will be made available at the Nawican Friendship’s Child Care Centre on 17th Street. Meanwhile, in Fort St. John, Robert Ogilvie Elementary will see 24 spaces open through School District 60.
“As we face economic challenges and British Columbians struggle with rising costs, we are continuing to make critical investments in childcare,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “By increasing access to childcare and saving families thousands of dollars per year, we’re helping hard-working British Columbians and securing a stronger future for our province today.”
The $10-a-day childcare initiative is designed to significantly reduce costs for families, potentially saving them up to $915 per child monthly.
Since the launch of ChildCareBC in 2018, nearly $8 billion in funding has led to the creation of more than 40,000 new childcare spaces, including over 16,000 $10-a-day spaces.
The province says they remain committed to expanding, with a goal of reaching 20,000 reduced cost spaces by March 2026.