The deadline for child-care providers to opt into the province’s new child-care fee reduction program has been extended.
“After waiting so many years for action on child care, we’re going to make sure parents can start saving immediately,” Katrina Chen, B.C.’s Minister of State for Child Care, said in a press release. “At the same time, we’re listening to providers and assisting those who want to come on board, but who want more information to complete the process of opting in.”
In February, the province announced $1 billion in funding for child care over the next three years. Part of the program includes additional funds for child care providers to reduce fees for parents. Currently the program is optional and child-care providers must opt-in. The government initially set an opt-in deadline of April 1 but this week extended the deadline to April 20 to give providers more time, particularly because the program is starting over spring break when many child-care providers are away.
“Having government invest in families and child care is brand new territory for providers and parents, so it’s understandable that questions have come up about how it will work,” Chen said. “We are going to work with providers to bring fee down and make life more affordable for parents, and we want to make sure those providers have the information and time they need.”
Starting April 1, parents at participating facilities will see savings of up to:
- $350 a month for group infant and toddler care
- $200 a month for family infant and toddler care
- $100 a month for group care for children aged 3 to kindergarten
- $60 a month for family care for children aged 3 to kindergarten
All licensed child-care providers who opt into the program and pass along fee reductions to parents will also receive a 10 per cent funding boost for any spaces that government funds through the new initiative.
