The Kamloops-Thompson School District says people on the North Shore and in Valleyview will have more access to new licensed childcare spaces.
It is because of provincial funding, with a federal contribution, to create childcare a total of 144 spaces at Ralph Bell and Happyvale elementary schools. Each school will have 72 spaces – 24 for children under three years of age and 48 for children over three.
“We recognize the pressing need to be innovative when considering how to increase the number of affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare spaces offered to families where they need them,” SD73 Board Chair, Heather Grieve, said.
“We are pleased that School District 73 can offer these childcare spaces to children and families at the Happyvale and Ralph Bell locations.”
Grieve says the school district will operate both childcare facilities for at least the next 15 years, with each project is funded up to $2,810,000.
The 144 Kamloops spaces is part of 336 new spaces in the Thompson-Cariboo announced by the B.C. government Thursday.
The Helew’u’ Child Care Society in Merritt will have 28 spaces – eight for infants and toddlers, eight for kids between two-and-half years to kindergarten, and 12 for school-aged children.
The Sun Peaks Community Daycare will also have 45 spaces – 16 for infants and toddlers, 24 for kids between two-and-half years to kindergarten, and five for school-aged children.
Another 119 spaces will be operated by the Kidcare Early Learning Centre in Williams Lake – 24 for infants and toddlers, 25 for kids between two-and-half years to kindergarten, 54 for school-aged children, and another 16 for ‘multi-age’ children.
“Our government is creating new child care spaces in communities throughout B.C. to ensure child care is available when and where families need it,” Education Minister, Jennifer Whiteside, said, in a statement.
“With some of the new child care spaces on school grounds, we’re able to better integrate child care into the broader learning environment, so children can more easily transition from their early care programs into their school community.”
SD73 spokesperson Diana Skoglund says work to buy portables for the new childcare spaces is underway, noting it is too early to say when these daycare spaces will be ready.
According to the province, parents in Kamloops, Merritt, Sun Peaks, and Williams Lake will save $29 million, $5 million, $14 million, and $10 million, respectively, due to its ChildCareBC program.
