Childcare Policy Harmonization Main Motion

Summary

• Directed staff to work with the Province to harmonize and update City childcare policies and design guidelines with provincial regulations, with the goal of enabling more childcare spaces more quickly.
• City's 1990 Childcare Design Guidelines are currently out of alignment with provincial licensing requirements, limiting space creation.
• Less than half of Vancouver families seeking licensed childcare can find a full-time space.
• Staff also directed to engage Park Board on co-locating childcare near parks, and Mayor to write to Vancouver Board of Education about expanding childcare on school lands.
• Staff to report back with an interim update by end of February 2023.

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