Prince George, B.C. – John Rustad, MLA for Prince George Omineca announced there will be more than $200, 000 in Provincial funding to help two care agencies share 35 new licensed child care spaces.

 

"Now Fraser Lake and Fort St. James families will have more opportunities and increased assistance," said Rustad.  "This funding is part of our government's commitment to help communities build a child care system with support for our child care providers and quality care for children.  I'm pleased local families will get the help they need as they plan their future."

The funding will go to:

* Marla Bisanz, Sole Proprietor (Fraser Lake) - $150,138 to create 15 new child care spaces and for minor renovations, furnishing and equipment to expand the existing facility.

* School District #91 (Fort St. James) - $50,000 to create 20 new out of school child care spaces and assist with costs of leasehold improvements to a classroom at Sowchea Elementary that includes equipment and furnishings.

Funding for the project comes from the Ministry of Children and Family Development's major capital funding program. It is part of $12.5 million announced in October 2007 to increase child care choices for families in every region of the province. 

The major capital funding was made available to all child care providers, non-profit organizations, private sector and licensed family child care providers - as they all play a key role in the provision of quality early learning and child care services across B.C.

"I am tremendously pleased to receive positive support from the B.C. government, enabling me to expand my community daycare service," said Marla Bisanz, operator of the Fraser Lake care facility.  "We are all aware of the high significance of quality daycare, both to the successful and critical development of our children, but also for the increasing demand for service from busy parents. This project will ensure that need for quality service locally will be met today, and into
the future. It has been our pleasure and enjoyment to work with literally hundreds of local happy and energetic children, and now we will definitely be here for many years to come."

Since 2001, the Province has provided capital funding to support the creation of more than 5,500 new licensed child-care spaces. The Province is investing almost $300 million in a range of child-care programs and services this year.