More childcare spaces could be coming closer to home for Delta parents.
The city is currently undertaking a childcare needs assessment which could result in more services for certain neighbourhoods where the needs appears to be greatest.
The city earlier this year received funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities to undertake an assessment to understand the needs, costs and types of childcare required. The study is expected to be completed later this year.
The most recent study was completed in 2006 by a consultant and updated five years later with specific geographical breakdowns. According to a civic report, through many provincial meetings and workshop documents, it was apparent that childcare needs across the province, including Delta, are highest for ages 0-5.
The city notes the purpose the survey, which is available online on Delta’s website, is to understand, from parents’ and guardians’ perspectives, the current and anticipated child care service needs from residents and those who anticipate needing child care in the city. For the survey, child care includes group daycare, in-home child care, preschool and out-of-school care.
“The information you provide is critical in assisting the city in child care planning and policy development,” according to a city news release.
According to Delta’s Social Profile, it is a challenge for Delta families to find affordable childcare. Numbers of spaces, especially for children under the age of two, are low and costs are high – up to $1,800 per month. The DeltaKids committee, Childcare Resource and Referral and Delta’s parks, recreation and culture department have been reviewing needs in Delta for pre and post school care, but costs for daycare remain prohibitive for many families.
A recent provincial government announcement could also help create more of those spaces.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development said families will have better access to closer-to-home child care with new guidelines that allow local governments to pair funding programs and purchase land to create new child care spaces.
Municipalities and regional districts can now apply for up to $4 million to buy land for child care centres and create new licensed child care spaces in their communities, the ministry explains. Previously, the maximum funding available was $1 million and local governments had only one fund to draw from, leaving them to cover the costs of land purchases and additional spaces for new child care projects.
Planning grants of up to $25,000 are available to help municipalities and regional districts identify needs and create new child care spaces over the next 10 years.
