PORT COQUITLAM, BC - February 27, 2024... The City of Port Coquitlam is achieving a record number of childcare spaces and continues to take action to increase the availability of childcare spaces in the City.
At last night's council meeting staff provided an update on the number of new licensed child care spaces in relation to the targets set out in the Child Care Action Plan.
The Action Plan recommended the City target adding 281 new spaces by 2022, 450 new additional spaces by 2025 and 718 new additional spaces by 2030 for a total of 1449 new spaces. At the end of the 2023 year, the overall number of licensed spaces increased by 583 spaces to a total of 2,828.
"The City is well on its way to achieving its targets for expanding childcare services and ensuring that families have access to the support they need. We are working hard to make Port Coquitlam the best place in the province to raise a family and childcare is a critical part of achieving that vision," said Mayor Brad West. "These numbers show substantial progress toward meeting the needs of Port Coquitlam families, but there is much more to do."
The City continues to see great interest from child care operators in creating more child care spaces in both residential and commercial facilities in Port Coquitlam in response to the bylaw changes made by the City. Reaching the recommended targets in the Action Plan will require continued financial support from the provincial and federal governments.
A number of potential child care facilities are either under construction or under review, which could create approximately 350 additional new child care spaces in the next several years.
New childcare spaces opened in the last year
- Alex Early Care & Learning Centre
- ABC Kids World Learning Center
- Learning Lab Kids Club at the Our Lady of Assumption School and
- Additional before and after school spaces at Irvine Elementary School
Grants from the provincial New Spaces Fund contributed to the creation of new spaces at the Alex Early Care & Learning Centre and Irvine Elementary School.
"Access to childcare is crucial for working parents and contributes to the well-being of children and families," said Mayor Brad West. "By prioritizing the expansion of childcare options, the city is taking proactive steps to address an important need for its residents."
In 2021, Council updated City bylaws and policies to support the creation of new licensed child care spaces within the community and set targets for new licensed child care spaces. The Port Coquitlam Child Care Action Plan identifies gaps, sets targets for new licensed child care spaces, and recommended 30 actions to reach these targets.
The City remains committed to creating more affordable, improved, and accessible childcare spaces. To learn more, visit portcoquitlam.ca/childcare.
-30-
Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]