School District 60 seeks clarity on early learning funding

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – School District 60’s board of trustees is seeking clarification on early learning and daycare from the Ministry of Education and Early Childhood.

During the final school board meeting of the 2023-24 school year, trustees approved a draft letter to be sent to Minister Rachna Singh, the Minister of Education and Childcare, and Dan Davies, the Shadow Minister for Education. 

The letter details the board’s concerns and desires for a stronger understanding of the 2024-25 school year funding. 

The board wrote about the expansions to early learning offerings throughout School District 60 and the emphasis it places on its 2024-29 board strategic plan, but it also shared concerns about the lack of confirmation on how the Ministry of Education intends to support the district monetarily. 

“As a board we are encouraged to have three-year financial plans in place. Early Learning is a question mark for us.” The letter states. 

The letter highlights the lack of a predictable funding formula for Early Learning and Childcare and seeks answers from the ministry for the future of childcare in the coming school years. 

The full letter approved by the board of trustees can be viewed below.