B.C. child-care subsidy changes help parents save money
Vancouver Island News Group - Nanaimo News Bulletin
January 10, 2008

Parents of children turning six in kindergarten will save a lot of money with a subsidy change, say Nanaimo childcare providers.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development announced last November that families with children turning six during their kindergarten year and attending a regulated child-care facility will continue to receive the higher subsidy rate.

Previously, once the child turned six, the subsidy was eliminated.

But Sharon Larkins, owner of… , said families of all children attending kindergarten for two and a half hours per day still pay full-time fees and before this year, parents had to make up the difference.

"Anybody over four hours in the program is classified as a full-time child. The family's fees don't change at all, regardless of whether they've turned six or not."

…. Full-time care is $575 per month and the full subsidy those families receive is $550 per month.

Larkins said allowing families to maintain the full subsidy throughout the kindergarten year allows them to get the help they need in the year they need it.

Once children enter Grade 1, they are in school for most of the day and child care switches to part-time, out-of-school care.

Kolbie Rai, owner…, said the change is going to help out families at her 20-space facility.

"It makes more sense," she said. "They still need a full day's care. It made a really big difference for parents."…

The ministry estimates that between 600 and 700 B.C. families will benefit from the change. It affects all families collecting the subsidy from 2008 onwards and families will not have to re-apply….