SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
CS&B COMMITTEE AGENDA
JULY 27, 1995
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 6, 1995
TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM: Director of Social Planning
SUBJECT: Childcare Capital Grant for Expansion
of Licensed Pre-teen Childcare Program
at Britannia Community Centre
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve a grant of up to $20,000 to the Britannia
Community Services Association to pay for renovations required to
expand their licensed school-aged childcare program by 25 spaces
for 10-12 year olds. Source of funds: City-owned Social Services
Facilities Childcare Component, 1995 Capital Budget.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits the foregoing
for CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
Approval of grant recommendation requires eight affirmative votes.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to recommend that a capital grant be
approved to renovate an existing space within Britannia Community
Centre for the development of a licensed school-aged program for 25
pre-teens.
BACKGROUND
In 1993, community demand indicated that there was a need for a
licensed childcare program specifically designed for pre-teens in the
Grandview-Woodland area. Britannia Community Centre, in consultation
with the Childcare Licensing Consultant in the Health Department,
developed a pilot program in temporary space for 10 children, while a
broader community assessment of pre-teen needs was undertaken.
The community needs assessment indicated that there was an urgent need
for pre-teen programming including an additional 25 space licensed
school-aged program for 10-12 year olds and drop-in recreational
programming.
In April 1995, Britannia approached the City Childcare CoŸordinator
for advice and assistance regarding their proposed expansion.
DISCUSSION
The total cost of developing the new licensed pre-teen childcare
centre is estimated at $40,000. Britannia has committed $15,000 to
the project and has asked the Ministry of Women's Equality for a
$5,000 equipment grant. They are requesting a capital grant of up to
$20,000 from the City to assist with the costs of renovating the space
so it meets the childcare licensing requirements and the City health
regulations. If Britannia receives funding approvals, they intend to
have the new program by September 1, 1995. The operating dollars for
this program will be covered through user fees and existing resources
in the Britannia operating budget.
There is $450,000 in the 1995 capital budget for the development or
redevelopment of City-owned social service facilities including
childcare. The Britannia proposal meets the civic Childcare Capital
Grant Program requirements because it addresses an urgent community
need for childcare services in a high need area of the City and it
will result in increased licensed childcare service by using existing
space within a civic building. It is therefore recommended that a
grant of up to $20,000 be approved. The actual amount of the City
grant will be determined on the basis of reimbursement of actual costs
up to the maximum approved.
CONCLUSION
Britannia Community Services Association has requested a capital grant
of $20,000 to renovate existing space to create a new licensed
childcare program for 10-12 year olds in the Grandview Woodland area.
Staff are recommending that a grant from the City-owned Social
Services Facilities - Childcare component of the 1995 Capital Budget
be approved.
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