In December 2020, Committee of Council received the Port Coquitlam Child Care Action Plan [PDF/2.1MB]. Thank you for your participation in the development of the Action Plan, through the surveys, information sessions, and workshops. Your input assisted us in identifying child care gaps, challenges and opportunities in our community. All information gathered informed the recommendations presented in the Action Plan.
Key Findings
Key findings from this assessment include:
- 2,245 child care spaces for 8,380 children aged 0-12 years in Port Coquitlam, this equates to 27 spaces per 100 children.
- A greater need for more spaces in the infant-toddler and school age categories.
- Average monthly fees in Port Coquitlam for group care is $976 for infants, $735 for 3-5 year olds and $393 for school age; reported by YMCA Tri-Cities Child Care Resource and Referral.
- A need for facilities that accommodate shift workers with non-traditional hours and children who require additional support.
- Child care operators having difficulties finding qualified staff and suitable facility locations.
Action Plan
The Action Plan proposes the following targets for three age groups to guide future planning in creating additional child care spaces over the next 10 years:
- Infant/Toddler (under 3 years): 33 spaces per 100 children (currently 15 / 100 children)
- Preschoolers (3 to 5 years): 75 spaces per 100 children (currently 44 / 100 children)
- School Agers (6 to 9 years): 42 spaces per 100 children (currently 14 / 100 children)
Recommended Actions
Recommended actions are grouped in four strategic priority areas:
- Increase Accessibility - through measures like a review of City regulations and policy and increased coordination with Fraser Health
- Improve Affordability - by, for example, providing municipal space and advocating for funding from senior levels of government
- Focus on Quality - by, for example, confirming a set of principles, criteria or guidelines to use when developing child care in municipal spaces or securing child care through development tools
- Develop Collaboration and Partnerships - through initiatives such as creating a Community Child Care Coordinator position in partnership with the School District, City of Coquitlam and City of Port Moody
Next Steps
In May of 2021, Committee of Council endorsed implementation proposals for how the Action Plan would be implemented and child care space targets met.
A report on the July 13 Committee of Council agenda also proposes bylaw and policy amendments to facilitate the creation of more child care spaces.
Staff provided Committee of Council the following updates on the Child Care Action Plan progress:
Learn more about opening a child care facility in Port Coquitlam at Child Care Facilities.