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EXCERPTS
Demand for child care spaces continues to grow while securing early childhood educators and care givers is becoming increasingly challenging.
Rosedale resident Tracy Larson knew there was a high demand for local child care before she even opened her child care centre last September.
"I surveyed 160 people including parents, [and] professionals within the community," she says, "And with the growing population out in the area, [that] told me there were children [and] families who were going to need care."
She was right. Some of her current local families were previously going as far as Greendale and Promontory to find the care they needed.
While there is a definite demand locally, it is a trend that continues right through British Columbia.
"There is a shortage of spaces in B.C.," says Barb Presseau, director of child care for Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) services for Chilliwack and surrounding area. In addition to child care centres, "parents have always used family child care, but, most family child care providers, [both licensed and license not required] are full," says Presseau.
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Studies show that most British Columbians realize the importance of quality child care. In 2006 Ipsos Reid released survey results which stated, "An amazing 90 per cent of British Columbians polled say that even if they don't personally need child care, they support affordable, accessible child care for families who do."
Adding to the challenge of decreased spaces, "Many families struggle with child care fees. Subsidy has not been cut back but providers are becoming more "professional". áInvolved with CCRRs, taking training, offering higher levels of programming etc; and trying to reflect that; somewhat, in their fees. Providers are also aware that July 1, the government is reducing their Child Care Operating Funding so many fees will (or have) increase," says Presseau.
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- reprinted from the MetroValley Newspaper Group