City to use $25,000 grant for childcare planning

The City of Prince George has received $25,000 as part of a planning grant, which will ensure the community will address any childcare needs.

“These planning grants will help municipalities and regional districts assess their childcare circumstances and identify what local families will need over the next decade,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development in a news release. “Local governments know best the unique needs in their communities.”

The 25 grand will be used by the city to create an inventory of existing child care spaces, identify how many child care spaces are needed now, as well as how many the city will likely be needed over the coming years.

Planning will also require the type of childcare needed to be included prior to the plans being drafted and shared with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, which will then help in determining future childcare investments that Prince George may receive.

The funding comes from the Community Child Care Planning Program and will act as the first step in a $3-million partnership launched in September 2018 between the Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.