What are the parties promising on Childcare?

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Affordability / Education

Childcare platforms

Here's what the 2024 BC election parties are promising.

BC NDP

Expand $10-a-day childcare
Invest $500M in new accessible, affordable childcare spaces

"That’s why we’re making a $500 million initial investment to add new desperately needed accessible and affordable child care spaces, initiating a long- term capital plan that will be built with input from families, providers, school districts, municipalities, sector experts and more." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07
Provide affordable before- and after-school care for kids up to the age of 12 in every school district

"Deliver affordable before- and after-school care for kids up to age 12 across BC. By working with school districts, education assistants, and other trusted staff, we’ll bring costs down for even more families through affordable before- and after-school care in every school district." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-16

BC Conservatives

Fund independent childcare providers to provide $10-a-day childcare spaces

"Expand $10 a day childcare availability by ending the NDP’s funding bias against independent childcare providers, who are experienced and ready to provide the $10 a day spaces that families need - right now." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
As more $10-a-day spaces become available, prioritise access for kids who have the fewest alternatives
Remove unnecessary regulations on childcare

"Increase the supply of childcare, everywhere by identifying and fixing unnecessary or unreasonable regulations - by any level of government - that prevent high-quality childcare spaces from opening, whether in home-based childcares, commercial spaces, or in public buildings like schools and rec centers." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Review and increase the Affordable Childcare Benefit and BC Family Benefit

"Provide financial relief for all lower and middle income families. The Affordable Childcare Benefit and BC Family Benefit will be reviewed and increased so families have what they need to look after their kids - whether they prefer childcare outside the house, at home with parents, or with support from family members." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08
Create 24-hour childcare spaces to support shift workers and first responders
Support schools to offer childcare programmes
Simplify credential conversion for educators, social workers, and teachers to switch to childcare
Allow educators to work as Early Childhood Educator assistants during the summer

BC Greens

Provide paid final practicums for teachers and Early Childhood Educators

"Provide paid final practicums for teachers and Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), offering financial support during their essential training periods." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Create a universal funding model to reduce administrative burdens for providers

"Create a universal Early Childhood Education funding model to reduce administrative burdens for childcare providers, allowing them to focus on care. This model will address wage grids, space creation, licensing, staffing, and fee reduction initiatives." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Increase wages for Early Childhood Educators to $30-$40/hour by 2026

"Implement gradual increases to the ECE wage grid, and reach $30-40 per hour by 2026." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Ensure ECEs have access to pension plans and extended health benefits
Provide $250M to expand childcare spaces for children under 5

"Allocate at least $250 million to expand childcare space creation for children and infants under 5." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Provide $100M in new funding for renovations and additions to schools to create childcare spaces

"Provide $100 million in new funding to create a capital program within the Ministry of Education for renovations and additions to schools to support ECE space creation." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09
Expand availability of dedicated school-age childcare spaces across schools, and increase before and after school programme offerings
1. "Expand the availability of dedicated school-age care spaces across BC schools to meet the needs of working families.
2. Increase before and after school program offerings to provide flexible childcare solutions for families."
— BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

Looking for the parties' positions on other topics?

See our full 2024 BC election platform comparison

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