Two elementary schools in Courtenay will be home to new affordable child care centres, according to the B.C. government.
Arden Elementary and Glacier View Secondary schools will each have 75 spaces, including 24 spaces for infant-toddlers, 32 spaces for kids aged three to five and 94 new spaces for school-age care on school grounds.
“Childcare on school grounds has a real impact on families’ lives,” said Mitzi Dean, minister of state for child care.
“By providing high-quality childcare directly on school grounds, children receive the best start on their early learning in a familiar, nurturing environment, while making it easier for busy parents to balance their professional and personal responsibilities.”
School District 71 (Comox Valley) received almost $8 million through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund to build new child care on school grounds.
The Arden Child Care Centre opened on Monday, June 10, while Glacier View Child Care Centre is slated to open in July,
“The centres at Arden and Glacier View will help parents with supporting their families and pursuing their professional and educational goals with the confidence that their children are receiving excellent care and education,” said Michelle Waite, Comox Valley Schools board chair.
“These new child care spaces on school grounds will be a wonderful resource for families as Courtenay’s population continues to grow,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA, Courtenay-Comox.
“Having child care at schools reduces the number of transitions students have in a day, which is easier for them and their families. These much-needed spaces will go a long way to help relieve some of the stress on working families and greatly support our community,” she said.
Corey Sugiyama, acting executive director, BGC Central Vancouver Island added, “BGC Central Vancouver Island is excited to be part of child care expansion in the Comox Valley along with our partner School District 71.”
“Recognizing the growing need for affordable and readily available child care, we are excited to be adding the new Arden and Glacier clubs, bringing our total up to 16 club locations and complementing our existing Aspen Park and Brooklyn clubs in the beautiful Comox Valley.”
Since 2018, ChildCareBC has funded the creation of more than 37,000 new licensed child care spaces in B.C., including more than 690 in Courtenay and the surrounding area, as part of its goal to build access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care as a core service for families.
To help fast track the creation of child care spaces on school grounds, the province developed a funding pathway for B.C. school districts interested in creating or expanding access to licensed child care in schools.
Applications are still being accepted for the 2024-25 ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.
READ ALSO:
- Jul. 24, 2022: Child care centre opens in Comox
- Nov. 9, 2018: Province announces $10-a-day childcare at 53 facilities, six on Vancouver Island
Harry Corro
