Shortage of after-school care needs to be addressed now

Re: Metro Vancouver families face out-of-school care space chase, Sept. 5

As a parent of a child going into Kindergarten this month, I cannot help but express disappointment at a system that further penalizes parents who happen to live in an area with overflowing schools.

In the November-January lottery system, eight schools in Vancouver (Roy, Hudson, False Creek, Carr, Cavell, Gordon, Fraser and Livingstone) did not have enough room to accept children living within their catchment areas.

The lottery system gave us two choices of neighbouring schools, which we promptly registered for. By the time this took place in April, it was far too late to even start getting on waiting lists for out-of-school care and many providers simply will not accept applications until a child is accepted in a school. When we looked for licensed out-of-care programs, we were forced to the “back of the line.”

When we inquired with the provider about lack of space, the provider indicated after the Supreme Court decision, “we were informed the school district would not entertain any childcare expansion at any VSB schools at this time.”

There needs to be a concerted effort by governments, providers and schools to ensure the shortage of space is addressed, or provide many stressed-out parents with some viable options. Simon Wong, Vancouver