At our January 2023 DPAC meeting the SD40 Manager of Child Care, Iliana Neilson, attended as a special guest to share information and answer questions about child care programs in the district. There were four questions that she provided a written response to following the meeting that we are sharing here:
1. Question regarding the percentage of spaces allocated to child care
New Westminster School District works in collaboration with Westminster Children’s After School Society and Lower Mainland Purpose Society. Westminster Children’s After School Society is licensed for up to 435 spaces for before and after school care, operating out of the majority of our sites. Lower Mainland Purpose Society provides care and education to 32 infant and toddler children and 40 children ages 3 to 5. Additionally, Seamless Day pilot project at Qayqayt Elementary welcomes 24 school age children.
2. Question regarding the expansion of CCFRI
Ministry of Education and Child Care has provided a Bulletin update on Friday, January 20, 2023, announcing the expansion of the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative to include children enrolled in half day preschool programs and children in Grade 1 and older enrolled in school aged care programs., beginning September 1, 2023.
3. Question on how will the District be ensuring sufficient outdoor play space
Section 16(1)9a) of Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR) brings provision for at least of 6sq m of outdoor play for each child to be accessible for child care. There is limited outdoor play available on school grounds and for this reason, we are proposing the design and use of shared outdoor play areas for child care, where the outdoor play area meets the requirements set out in s. 16(1)(a) of CCLR for the type of program with the largest maximum group size permitted in Schedule E of CCLR.
4. Question on how will the District be balancing the need of child care for families
We recognize the pressure of balancing the rapid growth of our student population and the need for child care and it is not an easy task; however we guide our work to prioritize the utilization of space within our schools to support K-12 in-catchment regular enrollment while ensuring sufficient play and outdoor learning space as well as ensuring child care programs to be operated, and when necessary, relocated to school facilities where space permits. We are excited to hear back from the Ministry of Education and Child Care regarding expanding current child care programs as well as inviting new projects to serve our community, as we depend on funding received for all projects.