Families in Kamloops now have access to almost 150 new licensed child care spaces, thanks to a new partnership between the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center.

“We know that families need access to more quality child care spaces in Kamloops,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “By providing children with opportunities to try a large variety of activities, materials and interest areas that span a large curriculum, Kamloops Kidz offers quality learning experiences that reflect the unique development of each individual child.”

Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center is receiving $250,000 through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund to support the creation of 144 new licensed child care spaces – 44 infant and toddler spaces, 50 for children aged 30 months to school age and 50 school-age spaces. The centre will offer 40 preschool spaces at the same location.

“We are very excited about our new facility in Orchards Walk that enables us to expand how many children and families we can assist with their child care and preschool needs,” said Sandra Jodoin, director/administrator of Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center. “Our heartfelt acknowledgement to the Province for its contribution to these new spaces, and to Orchards Walk Development and all the tradespeople who worked tirelessly to bring this new state-of-the-art building to life in our community.”

The $3.7-million facility, which has been purpose-built as a child care centre, is located in the new Orchards Walk Development in Kamloops. The curriculum is inspired by the Montessori method, where children have the chance to take part in art and music programming, as well as mathematics, language and play-based learning.

The centre believes in making a difference in the community and takes part in events, such as Christmas Amalgamated and fundraising to buy food and toys for local families in need. These programs teach the children from an early age how important it is to make a difference in other people’s lives.

“We launched the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund to respond quickly to the need for new licensed child care spaces across B.C., and we’re already seeing huge demand for funding,“ said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “This new fund has already created as many spaces in the Kamloops area as any previous major capital program, and there will be many more new spaces to come in the next few months.”

Under the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, child care providers can apply at any time throughout the year under a new continuous application process.

These new spaces are among the first to be announced under the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. Since launching the program in July 2018, more than 1,600 new licensed child care spaces have been approved for funding. More new spaces will be announced for communities throughout B.C. as projects are approved.

The $221-million fund will support the creation of approximately 22,000 new licensed child care spaces over the next three years. This initiative is part of the B.C. government’s Childcare BC plan and supports its commitment to give B.C. families access to affordable, quality child care throughout the province.

Learn More:

For more about Childcare BC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

To learn more about the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and to apply, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

To find child care in your community, view the online child care map: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/ccf/

Child care factsheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/18430

For more information about Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center, visit: http://www.kamloopskidz.com/