As the old adage says, children are the future.
That’s the reason Lumby and area families have cause to celebrate, as the Bridge Educational Society is slated to receive $500,000 to create 43 child-care spots in the rural community.
While 43 additional spots may not sound substantial, it’s important to note that Lumby — which boasts a total population of 1,303 — has 245 residents aged 14-and-under, according to the 2016 census.
What these additional spaces equate to is extra room equivalent to nearly one fifth of the village’s child population, which is no small feat.
And the changes in Lumby only echo what is happening across the province, as the government is investing $33 million to the tune of 3,800 additional child-care spots.
“I’m excited to be announcing that we are building thousands of child-care spaces throughout B.C., including more than ever before for indigenous communities,” said Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy. “Too many B.C. families are struggling to find child care. These new spaces will offer relief and hope to parents.”
On a provincial scale, 3,800 additional spots for the province’s 691,390 14-and-under youth come nowhere near touching the Lumby percentage, but what this funding announcement marks is a step in the right direction, and one that seeks to mitigate — although not completely diminish — the struggle to find accessible, affordable and quality child care.
“Council members are energized by the new focus on fixing the child-care crisis,” said Wayne Robertson, Provincial Child Care Council chair. “I think that the future is looking brighter for B.C. parents.”
RELATED: B.C. to create 3,800 childcare spaces within two years
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