B.C. government offers capital funding for 1,700 new childcare spaces

The B.C. government is offering money for child-care providers to build new facilities or renovate existing ones, which the province says will create 1,700 new licensed child care spaces.

Under the program, non-profit providers have until Feb. 26, 2016 to apply for major capital grants up to $500,000. For private child-care organizations, the limit is $250,000.

Surrey-Panorama MLA Marvin Hunt made the announcement at a preschool in Surrey a part of the Lower Mainland with high demand for new childcare spaces, he said.

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"Surrey is one of B.C.'s fastest-growing communities, and they are a shining example of a community that's currently underserved" in terms of childcare, Hunt said in a release.

The money can be used for major capital projects, such as:

• Building a new childcare facility.
• Buying and assembling a modular building.
• Renovating an existing building or classroom.
• Buying eligible equipment, including playground equipment, and furnishings.

Priority will be given to spaces located on school grounds or near other family-support programs, or that create childcare spaces in areas of B.C. that currently have shortages, the release states.