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Editorial: New schools should have daycare space

Better utilization of public facilities needed
Daycare

The province is planning to cut daycare costs for families with children in licensed care. But that doesn’t help anyone who can’t find a licensed space, and that could include many families in the Tri-Cities.

This week, School District 43's board of education was faced with the stark realization that it is maxed out when it comes to providing daycare space on its many properties.

It's up to Victoria to think big.

This province should ensure any new schools or any schools undergoing seismic rebuilds or substantial renovations include dedicated, permanent space for daycare.

While it’s true that daycares are not under the public school mandate, the province has recognized boards of education's roles in educating preschoolers.

There’s no reason they can’t expand that to include daycare space where possible.

These are places that are close to people’s homes and have ample space to play.

Now that B.C.’s budget has put forward $237 million over three years to create more than 20,000 new child care spaces, we welcome more details, including a plan to ensure new schools and rebuilds include space for daycares.