Excerpts from the report card:
While early vulnerability has increased in BC over the last decade, never before has the provincial rate broken the 30 percent barrier. But it now risks doing just this. In 53 of 59 BC school districts that provided data in 2009/10, 30.3% of kindergarten children were vulnerable, up from 28.5% in 2008/09.
The Solution
Children thrive when families thrive, so British Columbians need to advance Smart Family Policy that supports all families with young children to have enough.
Time: Expanded parental leave and family-friendly employment standards that support all mothers and fathers to care personally for their children. Family time is essential, yet BC reports the highest rates of work-life conflict in the country.
Services: Quality early learning and care services, parenting support and health promotion available for all children
Income: Additional financial support for the 10.4% of BC children who live in poor families.