March 23, 2011
Funding Boost Eases Transition to Full-Day Kindergarten

RICHMOND – Fifty-four licensed child-care providers in Richmond will share bonus funding of $63,790.95 this Spring thanks to a one-time funding boost for licensed group child-care (30 months to school-age) providers that receive funding under the Child Care Operating Funding program.

Why this matters:

• This funding is to help child-care providers during the transition period associated with the implementation of full-day kindergarten. It is anticipated that this license category may be impacted by a lower enrolment in their child-care facilities as a result of more five year olds attending full-day kindergarten in September 2011.
• Providers can use this funding to assist with the cost of providing quality child-care services to purchase items that enhance developmental opportunities for younger learners. This may include purchasing books, toys, arts and crafts supplies, and other educational items, as well as minor capital enhancements to improve the quality of the facility (e.g., equipment or furniture). The funds may also be used for professional development and training.

Quotes:

"This financial boost will be a great help for child-care providers in Richmond. It will give dozens of licensed facilities the means to improve their services even further and prepare for a transition to full-day kindergarten."
               - Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap

"This funding is an investment in our children and families, and into our future as a community. It is a symbol of appreciation for all the hard work that is done by child-care provides in Richmond."
               - Richmond East MLA Linda Reid

"Quality child-care is of crucial importance in our community. On one hand, this funding will assist community organizations in providing enhanced services to Richmond families. On the other, it allows providers to invest in professional development, which will prove crucial in the transition to full-day kindergarten."
               - Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard

Additional information:

The Ministry of Children and Family Development has allocated $1 million in one-time funding for approximately 900 licensed group child-care (30 months to school-age) providers that receive funding under the Child Care Operating Funding program.

Payments are based on the number of funded licensed group child-care spaces – at the rate of approximately $45 per licensed space. In this category, the number of licensed spaces per facility ranges from two spaces to 80 spaces. This funding is being applied to nearly 23,000 child-care spaces across B.C. with an average payment of more than $1,000 to each provider.

To be eligible to receive this payment, child-care providers must have an active 2010-11 funding agreement under the Child Care Operating Funding program as of December 1, 2010. Eligible child-care providers will receive the one-time payment by the end of March 2011.

The B.C. government provides more than $65 million for providers annually in child-care operating funding. More facilities are eligible for funding than ever before – with over 4,800 licensed child-care facilities across the province receiving funding.

For more information on the Child Care Operating Funding program, please visit: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/operating.htm

Stay informed about Richmond news:

For MLA Yap, visit his website and follow him on Twitter.

For MLA Reid, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook.

For MLA Howard, visit his website and follow him on Twitter. 

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