What Do British Columbians Think About $10aDay Child Care?

Practically four in five British Columbians agree that employers benefit from investments in child care cause more parents can go to work.

Introduction

In March 2024, the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC worked with Research Co. to conduct a provincial poll asking British Columbians about their views on $10aDay child care. The poll results add to the extensive input we regularly receive from over 20,000 $10aDay supporters and through outreach to and engagement in communities across the province. We also meet with government officials and conduct research and analysis to inform and update our $10aDay policy and funding recommendations.

The new provincial poll explores public views of $10aDay child care six years after the program’s launch in BC and five years after our last provincial poll. To support comparisons over time, some polling questions are consistent with previous polls. Others reflect the new context (e.g., post-COVID, new federal funding, system implementation now underway) and the interest in flexible approaches to child care within the evolving $10aDay system.

Summary of Findings

British Columbians continue to support $10aDay child care strongly. Nearly 80% of British Columbians say it’s important for the government to continue with its $10aDay commitments, and three-quarters (76%) think implementation should move more quickly. 75% of British Columbians also agree that flexible child care options are needed as more parents today work outside of Monday through Friday, 9-5.

While only 9% of all the licensed child care spaces in BC are currently $10aDay, 20% of British Columbians report they’ve been personally touched by $10aDay child care, either directly or through someone they know. Notably, 35% of 18–34-year-olds have benefitted themselves or know someone who has.

At the same time, 84% of BC families with young children report that long waiting lists for child care are still problematic. This is unsurprising as there are only enough licensed child care spaces for 23% of young children in BC. 43% of families with young children reported waiting more than six months for child care.

Overall, 70% of British Columbians with young children say that the government has made child care more affordable for their family, and 88% confirm that they would like to have access to $10 a day child care.

Download the full release here: 10aDayChildCare BC | 27 May 2024

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