B.C.'s $10-a-Day Child-Care Program Suspends Contentious Funding Model Amid Access Challenges
Child-care operators in British Columbia enrolled in the province's $10-a-day program are expressing relief after the government decided not to implement a new funding model that had sparked widespread concern. However, parents are voicing significant frustration as admissions to the program have been paused for three years, leaving many families without affordable options.
Program Implementation Stalls, Leaving Many Behind
The $10-a-day child-care plan, a key promise from the NDP's 2017 and 2020 election campaigns, has seen limited progress in recent years. Currently, only about 10 percent of child-care spaces across the province have achieved the targeted $10-a-day fee level. This has resulted in numerous families continuing to pay over $1,000 per month for child-care, a stark contrast to the $200 monthly cost for those in the subsidized program.
Operator Concerns Over Funding Model Averted
Sharon Gregson of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. highlighted that many operators feared they would have to exit the program if the government proceeded with a new operating model that would have reduced their funding. The provincial budget announcement on Tuesday clarified that existing centers can remain under the old model, providing much-needed stability.
"This operating funding model was requiring programs to either cut educator wages or opt out of $10-a-day, putting them in a terrible position," Gregson explained. "For operators facing this dilemma, it's a huge relief to know the model won't be implemented."
Relief and Uncertainty Among Child-Care Providers
Ellen Clague, executive-director of Parkgate Society in North Vancouver, described the government's decision as a welcome reprieve. She noted that her center would have faced difficult choices, such as laying off long-term staff or withdrawing from the program entirely under the proposed changes.
"I was holding my breath waiting for the budget announcement," Clague said. "While we have clarity for the next year, we anticipate more changes ahead."
Darius Maze, executive-director of Kiwassa Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, echoed this sentiment, expressing relief over the halted funding model but concern about the three-year admissions pause. He also pointed out that the current system often feels like a lottery for families seeking access.
Parental Frustration Mounts as Admissions Freeze Continues
With the admissions pause in place, many parents are left grappling with high child-care costs and limited availability. The program's expansion has stalled, exacerbating the affordability crisis for families across British Columbia. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving widespread access to affordable child-care, despite policy efforts.
The pause on the funding model offers temporary respite for operators, but the broader issue of accessibility remains unresolved, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions in the child-care sector.
