Parents in Squamish and across the province with kids in licensed care could save up to $350 a month as early as April.
“Parents in every corner of B.C. will start seeing their child care bills go down next month,” said Premier John Horgan in a news release on Wednesday. “These fee reductions will offer families relief, and help people, particularly women, return to work. No one should be forced to choose between child care and other family needs.”
The child care fee reduction is available to families with children up to kindergarten age who go to licensed child care and whose providers opt in.
The province says providers have applied for fee reductions for more than 18,000 children, with more expected to opt in.
Fee reductions will save parents up to:
— $350 per month for each child in group infant and toddler care.
— $200 per month for each child in family infant and toddler care.
— $100 per month for each child in group care for children aged three years to kindergarten.
— $60 per month for each child in family care for children aged three years to kindergarten.
The government has extended the deadline for child care providers to opt in to April’s fee reduction until April 20.
Afterwards, providers can sign up for savings for future months at any time.
In this year’s budget, the province announced it plans to put more than $1 billion into child care over the next three years.
The government says it will focus on creating more infant and toddler child care spaces throughout the province, as well as reducing monthly child care costs for B.C. families.
