{"id":64356,"date":"2026-02-20T11:50:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T19:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.gov.bc.ca\/ecc-dm-bulletin\/?post_type=district_update&p=64356"},"modified":"2026-02-20T16:41:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:41:08","slug":"dm-bulletin-february-20-2026-64356","status":"publish","type":"district_update","link":"https:\/\/blog.gov.bc.ca\/ecc-dm-bulletin\/district_update\/dm-bulletin-february-20-2026-64356\/","title":{"rendered":"DM Bulletin – February 20, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Friday February 20, 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kaye Krishna<\/strong>
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

250-880-3451
Kaye.Krishna@gov.bc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I hope you are all finding ways to enjoy the longer daylight as we head towards the start of spring. I know all of our thoughts remain with the community of Tumbler Ridge this week, and our colleagues in the Peace River South School District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, government introduced Budget 2026<\/strong>, which prioritizes investments in critical services, such as health care, education and child care. The Ministry\u2019s budget will increase $924M over the three-year fiscal plan to support enrolment across the K-12 system, stabilize the child care system, and increase support to Future Ready K-12 Career Connections and Dual Credit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have accomplished a tremendous amount over the last 8 years of the 10-year ChildCareBC plan, and as we look to the next 10 years of child care in the province, this year marks a transition year. To protect investments to date and ensure future changes are thoughtful and sustainable, the Province is pausing new enrolment into the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program and Operating Funding Model, as well as the New Spaces Fund. This does not affect families or providers already participating in these programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future of child care includes a prominent role for schools and, while other areas of the system will pause, we will continue our focus on expanding child care on school grounds.  I\u2019m happy to share that funding will continue for another year for Early Learning and Child Care Leads through a $10.5-million investment. We are also increasing efforts to expand before- and after-school care through a new $5-million capital investment to help school districts leverage existing school facilities, supported by an additional $20 million in operating funding over three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We covered much of these budget updates in our All-Superintendent and All-Chairs calls this week, but we welcome additional questions you may have on how these funding commitments translate to meaningful outcomes for children and families in your districts throughout B.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you will find key updates and resources to support the work happening in your districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoy your weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaye<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For Action<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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