PORT COQUITLAM, BC – April 17, 2019… The City of Port Coquitlam will soon begin work on an action plan to facilitate the creation of more child care spaces in the community, after receiving a $25,000 provincial grant.

The Community Child Care Planning Program grant – funded by the provincial Ministry of Social and Family Development and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities – will be used to create an action plan outlining actions by the city, service providers and other stakeholders that would lead to the creation of new spaces.

“Child care is integral to a livable community – it’s an issue that affects not only families but our entire city as a whole,” said Mayor Brad West, who is also Council’s designate for development issues. “This grant allows us to dive deeper into ways to improve this important community service.”

Port Coquitlam had 2,279 licensed child care spaces in 97 facilities as of December 2018. While there are more spaces per child in Port Coquitlam than in other parts of the region, some families still find it challenging to find high quality affordable care.

Development of the action plan over the coming months will include:

• An inventory of existing child care spaces, service levels and types of programs in different neighbourhoods,
• Identification of short-, medium- and long-term targets for new spaces,
• An open house and survey to collect input from parents on gaps and solutions,
• A survey and site visits of child care operators to collect input on expanding facilities and service levels to meet the community’s child care needs,
• A workshop, in conjunction with the cities of Coquitlam and Port Moody, to collect input from community organizations and service providers on barriers and solutions, and
• Consultation with additional stakeholders, including Fraser Health, School District 43 and organizations that serve Port Coquitlam families.

Port Coquitlam staff will work closely with Coquitlam and Port Moody, as many Tri-Cities residents cross boundaries for child care, school and other services.

The action plan will build on previous work such as the city’s comprehensive review and update of its child care regulations in 2017, the Tri-City Child Care Needs Assessment in 2017, and School District 43’s Child Care Task Force, on which the city participates.

The outreach activities for the child care action plan will take place over the summer and fall, and will be advertised in the local newspaper, social media and www.portcoquitlam.ca/childcare. Those interested in updates or input opportunities may also sign up online.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca