Gradual entry just wrapped up and I’ve heard from many parents that this past week has been a juggling act. Families are increasingly challenged to find quality, consistent before and after-school care, Pro D days, and extended breaks. A change to provincial law could help, but most families haven’t heard about it yet.
New School Amendment Act
In October 2025, BC passed the School Amendment Act. It lets any school board that holds a child care licence run child care programs on school property for children of all ages, not just enrolled students. This effectively means that infants and toddlers can be cared for on school grounds, and care can run on non-school days like Pro D days and holiday breaks.
The law also lets districts recover reasonable costs of running these programs, much like nonprofit centres do. Districts can also opt into programs like the Affordable Child Care Benefit that offer childcare subsidies to families.
While the new law makes school-based child care possible, it doesn’t make it happen. Each school district decides whether to offer this care and how and when it will be provided. I think this is important new legislation that our district should consider.
Where does SD43 stand on school-based child care?
Our district has a good foundation. Neighbourhood Learning Centres that include child care are already part of newer schools like Moody Elementary, Coast Salish and Irvine. Before and after school programs also run in existing schools around the District. SD43 is getting over 100 new before and after-school spaces announced by the province in May and August 2026. Every space is needed.
There is also a new provincial fund for board-run school-age programs that opens for applications this fall. I hope that SD43 will take advantage of this to help increase childcare across the district.
What I hear from parents at the door is that childcare is a real challenge. What I know from speaking to educators is that having district-managed childcare in schools would create better opportunities to identify supports for kids and provide a continuum of care that would benefit children throughout their early years through school age. It would also provide opportunities for ECE and other support staff to work more and gain quality employment in the school district.
This new amendment seems like a win-win for schools and families and I hope to support more and expanded childcare opportunities at the boardroom table as a School Trustee.
What I’ll support as your trustee
- A clear look at which SD43 schools have space that could work for infant, toddler, and year-round school aged care
- Planning done with families, existing child care providers, and local First Nations
- Applying for every provincial dollar available to our district
- Good jobs and real career paths for the educators who make child care possible, creating a stronger district pool of talented staff
- Plain reporting back to families on what’s working and what’s next
- Listening to educators on how child care options can better support kids, help diverse learners, and ensure all kids have a safe, caring environment when their parents are at work.
Schools are already the heart of our neighbourhoods. With good planning, they can also be the place families count on from early years through graduation, every day of the year.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts and learn more about my priorities for SD43 here.
