KOOTENAYS – New Democrat MLA Brittny Anderson says families in the Kootenays will save money on childcare bills as local childcare centres become $10-a-Day ChildcareBC Centres where fees are capped at a maximum of $200 a month.

“More and more families are able to get their kids into safe, nurturing childcare spaces here in the Kootenays,” said MLA Anderson. “And we know those spaces also need to be affordable. We’re expanding our $10-a-day childcare options across the province and here at home, making sure that everyone who needs childcare can access it, and that kids have a good start to their educational journey.”

As of February 1, 2022, Kootenay Kids Society in Nelson, Corner Stones Childcare Centre in Revelstoke, Blossom & Bud Childcare in Creston, Little Badger Early Leaning Program in Windermere, and Stepp Stones Children’s Centre in Nakusp are all becoming $10-a-Day ChildCareBC sites. This will lower costs for the parents of the 158 children currently learning in these spaces.

For families earning $111,000 or less, savings can be stacked with the BC Affordable Child Care Benefit to cut fees even further, meaning some parents are able to access childcare at no cost.

More $10-a-day spaces throughout the province will be announced in the coming months as childcare providers are confirmed to participate.

These new $10-a-Day ChildcareBC Centres are part of Government’s 10-year ChildCareBC plan to build a future where childcare is a core service that’s available to every family that wants it, when they need it, at a price they can afford.

For more information on the $10-a-Day ChildCareBC sites and spaces: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare10aDaysites