The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC
(CCCABC) has been pushing for a child care system that's run by the
community, gets public money, and is a not-for-profit deal. We figured
out that child care had to be something that local folks plan, build,
and manage, with enough cash and support from the government to keep it
all steady. And it had to be flexible, offering different types of care
like full-time, part-time, in centers, or with family caregivers, to fit
what families really need. Oh, and it had to be run by the community,
like they're the bosses of it.
But, we had to get into the nitty-gritty of what
"community-controlled child care" really means. So, in 2006, we kicked
off our Child Care Governance Project with some help from the VanCity
Community Foundation and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC
Office. We put together a bunch of folks from all over the place to talk
about this big question.
First, we came up with the important stuff we think
a child care system should have. Then, we checked out five different
ways of running things to see which ones might work best in BC. We
talked to a bunch of people in the community to get their two cents, and
we learned a ton.
But, let's be real, stuff changed along the way.
The feds pulled the plug on their big child care investments, and BC hit
us with more cuts. And now, because of some new rules, these big
corporate child care chains could start popping up everywhere, which is
not cool.
The old ways of fixing things with just more child
care places and letting the market sort it out? They're just not
working. Fees are through the roof, wages for workers are in the dumps,
and the wait lists are getting ridiculous.
But here's the thing: communities are stepping up
to the plate and trying to make it work. That's what inspired the main
idea of this project. We've got to give these local groups the power,
the job description, the cash, and the tools they need to build a system
that's right for them.
This report is all about that, and we totally stand
by it. It's like a love letter to all the hardworking communities out
there trying to make child care better. We're inviting everyone to jump
in and help us build this solution together.
Let's talk about the future of community-controlled
child care. Imagine a world where your neighborhood has child care spots
that are just part of the scenery, like a library or a school. You know
you can count on them being there and doing a good job. That's what
we're aiming for.
We're not saying we've got all the answers, but
we're pretty darn sure that if we keep working together, we can make
this happen. And, just like with those other community services, we've
got to have good rules, steady money, and a plan to keep things
top-notch. And the people running the show? They've got to be
accountable to the folks who use them.
This whole thing is a journey we're on, and we're
not giving up. We want you to come along and help us figure it all out.
Together, let's make child care something we can all be proud of in BC.