On November 5, 2018, Clare Hennig reported for CBC News that the child-care initiative, announced in June, which was slow to launch initially, with providers citing paperwork and qualification problems, built momentum, with capacity being reached by the instigation date. The families of roughly 1,800 children are impacted by the pilot project.

Sharon Gregson,, in an interview by Gregor Craigie, the host of CBC's On The Island, commented , "The reason that there is such a diverse range of organizations participating is so the government can get a sense of the costs involved… When we think about elementary school, no one expects to go bankrupt having their child attending Grade 2, and we don't think they should go bankrupt having their child in early childhood education either," she said. "This is a huge step in the right direction."

50 prototype sites will be operational from November 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020. These sites will help test funding and operational models required to move British Columbia towards a universal child care system.

As a component of the prototype sites, the ministry is also launching an Inclusion Pilot Project to explore new approaches to including children with extra support needs in child care programs. The learning will assist with identifying the benefits and challenges of supporting inclusive child care.

Over 300 applications for prototypes sites were reviewed to ensure factors like the diversity of British Columbia’s geography, population, program types and operational models were considered in the selection of sites. The range of sites will provide the ministry with a deeper understanding of what contributes to quality care, a sustainable and engaged workforce, a viable funding model and effective organizational structures.

Approved Universal Child Care Prototype Sites : LIST OF THE APPROVED SITES THROUGHOUT BC

For answers to general frequently asked questions, review the Universal Child Care Prototype Sites Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

For answers to frequently asked questions related to inclusion, review the Inclusion Pilot FAQs (PDF).

For further information, please contact:

Phone: 1 888 338-6622 (option 5)

Email: MCF.Prototype@gov.bc.ca