School District 60 looks to develop new childcare program to address staff shortages [Video]

FORT ST. JOHN –An internal survey conducted by School District 60 has revealed that education staff are ‘struggling’ to find suitable childcare, which is affecting teachers’ ability to return to work.

According to the survey, 36 of the 100 respondents said they would defer returning to work due to childcare space challenges, while another 23 indicated they would need to extend parental leave beyond a year, leading the school district to explore possible options. 

“If there’s a way that we can add some infant toddler spaces on our properties, that could help ameliorate the situation for our recruitment and retention of professional staff as well as other members of the community,” said Jarrod Bell, Director of Instruction for District 60.

Bell highlighted that many new teacher hires are seeking childcare as a requirement for employment. 

“Childcare can be a significant portion of somebody’s income, and in some cases, more …