The provincial government has released its first annual report under the Early Learning and Child Care Act, aimed at improving transparency and accountability as it advances the ChildCareBC plan. The report highlights actions taken in fiscal year 2024-25 to expand access to affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care across the province.
Key initiatives include eliminating wait-list fees charged by funded providers, improving affordability and access for families. In a historic first, the government signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the First Nations Leadership Council and the federal government to co-develop a collaborative, rights- and distinctions-based approach to early learning and child care for First Nations in B.C.
The report also details the release of the Inclusive Child Care Strategy, which identifies goals and actions to promote inclusive child care, and the introduction of specialized certification grants for infant-and-toddler and special needs early childhood educators, strengthening workforce capacity. Additionally, the government has streamlined the application process for boards of education seeking to create child care spaces on school grounds, supporting better integration with the K-12 system.
Overall, the report establishes a baseline for future progress toward affordable, high-quality child care and enhanced collaboration with Indigenous partners, ensuring every child has access to early learning opportunities that meet their family’s needs.
Comments