Lexie’s Little Bears Child Care Inc in Highlands is one of six Vancouver Island daycare’s that have been selected for test funding that will offer $10-a-day childcare. Photo courtesy lexieslittlebears.ca.
The province announced 53 daycares are part of a prototype project to offer $10-a-day childcare to families, with six of those on Vancouver Island.
The prototype sites will charge families a maximum of $200 per month per child and is the next step in the government’s plan to provide universal childcare.
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society and Lexie’s Little Bears Child Care in Highlands have been selected for test funding.
Also included is Comox Valley Children’s Day Care Society in Comox, Parkside Academy Society in Duncan, Alberni Valley Childcare Society in Port Alberni and Rainbow Country Daycare Society in Port Hardy.
The province says the project sites will be funded through a $60 commitment to cover operational and administration costs through the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement with the federal government.
Daycares applied to the province for selection of test funding in June, with priority given to sites that had infant and toddler spaces.
Eligibility was expanded to include other types of licensed child care.
The daycares that are reducing fees to $200-a-month will provide feedback to the government for a funding model to implement universal care over the next ten years.
The province says each site will get a one-time quality improvement grant next year for program enhancements.
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