Teacher job action is going to leave working parents scrambling for child care.
The parks and leisure services commission has a potential solution.
In the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district, teachers will take their turn in province-wide rotating strikes on Tuesday. That day, there will be a full-day camp for kids running at the Greg Moore Youth Centre from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be games, crafts and swimming in the afternoon, in a format similar to what the commission offers on professional development days in schools. It is for children aged 5-12.
The cost is $38 for the day, and students must register in advance. They can do so in person, over the phone at 604-465-2470 or online are recreg4u.ca. The camp bar code for registration purposes is 193153.
Often The ACT will offer similar arts programs, but the facility is not available at this time.
Jen Baillie of youth services said the camp can accommodate up to 40 kids, and another space may be found for more, if there is enough demand.
Youth services offers before and after school care at six elementary schools through its Active Kids Club on regular school days, but those facilities will be closed during the job action.
There is no end in sight to the acrimonious labour dispute between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the government.
The province has moved off its demand for a 10-year agreement, asking for a six-year term. However the two sides remain far apart on the salaries and other issues.