British Columbia

B.C. government offers capital funding for 1,700 new childcare spaces

The B.C. government is offering money for child-care providers to build new facilities or renovate existing ones, which the province says will create 1,700 new licensed child care spaces.

Operators can apply for money for new spots until Feb. 26, 2016

Surrey-Panorama MLA Marvin Hunt, in a white hard hat, breaks ground on a new playground at Wind & Tide Early Preschool and Childcare Centre in Surrey. The preschool received B.C government funding in June for a capital project to build new childcare and preschool spaces. (Christer Waara/CBC)

The B.C. government is offering money for child-care providers to build new facilities or renovate existing ones, which the province says will create 1,700 new licensed child care spaces.

Under the program, non-profit providers have until Feb. 26, 2016 to apply for major capital grants up to $500,000. For private child-care organizations, the limit is $250,000.

Surrey-Panorama MLA Marvin Hunt made the announcement at a preschool in Surrey — a part of the Lower Mainland with high demand for new childcare spaces, he said.

"Surrey is one of B.C.'s fastest-growing communities, and they are a shining example of a community that's currently underserved" in terms of childcare, Hunt said in a release.

The money can be used for major capital projects, such as:

  • Building a new childcare facility.
  • Buying and assembling a modular building.
  • Renovating an existing building or classroom.
  • Buying eligible equipment, including playground equipment, and furnishings.

Priority will be given to spaces located on school grounds or near other family-support programs, or that create childcare spaces in areas of B.C. that currently have shortages, the release states.