A new childcare centre with 84 spaces for children of all ages has opened up along the Saanich Peninsula.
The province partnered with the Saanich School District (SD63) to build the ŚEŚIŚEJ Childcare Centre for $3.6 million. Funding for the centre was earned through the ChildCareBC New Spaces.
“ŚEŚIŚEJ Childcare Centre provides accessible, culturally responsive and inclusive care for all ages of children, which the community needs,” said Mitzi Dean, minister of state for child care in a press release.
Of the 84 spaces, 12 will be for children under 36 months, 48 will be for children 30 months to school age, and 24 spaces will be for school-age children.
Beacon Community Services, Queen Alexandra Centre, Victoria Native Friendship Centre and W̱SÁNEĆ Elders are also partnering with the centre to bring educational programs.
“Our nature-based centre will incorporate our licensed-care philosophy of understanding the relationship we have with the land and our communities,” said Tricia Guelette, chief executive officer of Beacon Community Services.
The name ŚEŚIŚEJ is a SENĆOŦEN word meaning “little forest.”
The childcare centre is located between White Road and Veyaness Road.
Oli Herrera
