Two BGC Okanagan Clubs Chosen for $10 A Day Child Care
(April 26, 2022) – A single mother of a child enrolled in a BGC Okanagan Club said she was brought to tears of joy when she learned that the Rutland and West Kelowna Clubs were selected as $10 a Day Child Care facilities by the Government of BC
Families at both of those Clubs will see a significant reduction in their child care fees. Children enrolled in full days (four hours or more) Monday to Friday will pay the maximum fee of $200 per month.
“Parents have been sharing how grateful they are because it will be a huge financial help for their families. Child care is an essential need for working parents. Reducing child care fees will make life more affordable for families and improve their ability to access high-quality early learning opportunities,” said Kirstie Blanleil, Director of Operations for BGC Okanagan.
Expanding $10 a Day ChildCareBC spaces, throughout B.C. is one part of the Government of BC’s 10-year ChildCareBC plan to build a future where child care is a core service available to every family that wants it, when they need it, and at a price they can afford.
“BGC Okanagan is elated to partner with the Province to become a $10 a Day site. Child care is a great investment for families and communities,” said Blanleil.
The BGC Okanagan Rutland location, has 16 spaces for children three to five years old and 40 spaces for school-age children. The West Kelowna location (on Webber Road) has 16 spaces for children ages three to five years old.
The two BGC Okanagan Clubs joined the $10 a Day ChildCareBC expansion officially as of April 1, 2022. One family with three children enrolled told BGC Okanagan that they were thankful as it will have a “huge impact” on reducing financial strain.
Through provincial funding, the number of $10 a Day ChildCareBC spaces recently more than doubled in the province to more than 6,500 from 2,500. Work is underway to expand $10 a Day child care further in partnership with the federal government. Federal funding through the 2021-2025 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will again nearly double the number of $10 a Day ChildCareBC spaces to 12,500 by December 2022.
This expansion will provide more communities with the opportunity to offer child care for $10 a day, as part of the work being done to lower the cost of licensed child care for all BC families through the 10-year ChildCareBC plan.
To support the goal of ensuring access to quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care, the Government of Canada will contribute $3.2 billion for child care in British Columbia over five years through the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This is in addition to the over $321 million announced in August 2021 through the 2021–2022 to 2024–2025 Canada–British Columbia ELCC Agreement, which included $49.2 million through a one-time investment in 2021–2022 to support the early childhood workforce.
For more information on BGC Okanagan child care contact [email protected], or for more information on the Government of BC $10 a Day ChildCareBC sites visit: www.gov.bc.ca/10adaychildcare
For more information on the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/british-columbia-canada-wide-2021.html
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About BGC Okanagan:
Community-based services. Positive relationships. Life-changing programs. Since opening the first Club in Kelowna in 1959, BGC Okanagan has continued to provide vital before and after school care, daycare, recreation and youth and family support programs and services that help all young people discover who they are, what they can do, and how they can get there. Our trained staff and volunteers give kids and teens at our 41 service locations across the Okanagan Valley the tools to realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, leadership and more. If a young person needs it, our Club provides it. Learn more at bgco.ca and follow us on social media @BGCOkanagan.