As we continue to support families by increasing access to child care on District property, we are moving forward with the creation of 160 new spaces for families at five school sites.
The spaces are part of the three-step plan approved by the Burnaby Board of Education in October 2019 that was developed after extensive consultation. The plan, in its entirety, involves partnership and funding by the Provincial Government and the City of Burnaby.
Board Chair Jen Mezei:
We are grateful for our partnerships with the provincial government and the City of Burnaby, as well as those we have in the community that have enabled us to be a part of supporting local child care. We recognize the importance of quality, inclusive child care to families in our community, and we are proud that our district has been a leader for more than 35 years in enabling space in our schools and on our properties.”
The funding for the additional 160 spaces was announced by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in May.
Read the press release from the Government of BC – May 21, 2021
With management by the District, the Ministry is investing $4.74 million into the construction for buildings on site at these elementary schools:
- Brentwood Park Child care: 24 spaces
- Kitchener Elementary Child care: 34 spaces
- Parkcrest Elementary Child care: 34 spaces
- Stoney Creek Community School Child care: 34 spaces
- Twelfth Avenue Elementary Child care: 34 spaces
The child care centre at Brentwood Park will house 24 before and after school spaces, while the other four centres will have 24 before and after school spaces plus 10 preschool spots – all of which will be run by a non-profit child-care provider selected by the District.
Completion of planning and construction for the space involving the additional 160 spaces funded this May is anticipated to take two years, with opening of the new spaces projected for January 2023.
Additionally, during the 2020-21 school year, the following spaces were enabled to open on school property:
- 84 new before and after school care spaces
- 24 new infant and toddler spaces
- 100 new 3 to 5-year-old spaces
In the first two phases of the plan, 601 child care spaces were created with $13.7 million from the Province of BC and $6.2 million from the City of Burnaby in the building of new child care centres at Marlborough, Cascade Heights, Rosser, Westridge and Suncrest elementary schools, Stride Avenue Community School, the new Burnaby North Secondary, and the Marian Education Center.
In its entirety, the plan approved by the Board proposed adding a total of 773 spaces on school property for before and afterschool and infant/toddler care — 378 of which are now available for families and/or have funding approval with planning underway.
Additional Information
Child care in the Burnaby School District
Province Commits $4.74M for 160 New Child care spaces at Burnaby Schools – Burnaby Now (May 2021)
Learn About How a School Expansion Also Supports Child care (January 2020)
Supporting Families: Report Proposes Adding Child care Spots in the District (October 2019)
Project Definition Report: Before and After School Child care (October 2019)
Burnaby School District Unveils $35.7M Plan for 773 New Child care Spaces – Burnaby Now (October 2019)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Project Definition Report and Child care in the District (October 2019)
Licensed Preschool and Out-of-School Care Operators in Burnaby Schools (October 2019)
Posted June 3