Local families in North Vancouver will soon have access to 172 new licensed child care spaces at two new child care centres, thanks in part to a $431,950 investment from the Province’s Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.

“North Shore families have been burdened for far too long by the high cost of living and a lack of adequate child care spaces,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “This announcement builds on the investments we’ve already made to child care services across the North Shore. I’ve heard firsthand how these investments have changed lives. To those who have been pleading for government action on child care, we’ve heard you. Help has come and much more is on the way.”

Kuddles Early Learning Centre is receiving $181,950 to help create 92 new licensed spaces – 36 infant and toddler spaces and 56 for children aged 30 months to school age. The centre offers a French program as part of the curriculum to introduce children to a second language through songs and games. The growing diversity of the community will be reflected as well, as staff are able to provide services in Spanish, Mandarin, Farsi and Korean. The children will also get to know their community as the facility has a partnership with Amica Senior Centre, allowing the children to join in with pre-planned activities and visits with the seniors.

“We know that many B.C. families are struggling to find quality, licensed child care, especially in urban areas,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “These new spaces in North Vancouver will give dozens of parents the opportunity to go back to work, knowing their children are being well looked after.”

Kids & Company Corporate Child Care Services is receiving $250,000 to create 80 new licensed spaces – 48 infant and toddler spaces and 32 for children aged 30 months to school age.

The centre will be fully accessible, and staff will work with the Tsleil-Waututh Child and Family Development Centre to teach the children about Indigenous culture through activities like language programs and drumming. Kids & Company is also working with the North Shore Harvest project to support low-income families at the centre. In addition, parents will have access to free workshops on topics such as healthy eating, toileting and first aid, with dinner and child care provided to parents while the workshops are running.

“We’ve made it a priority under Childcare BC to help create more infant and toddler spaces, as these are the most needed across the province,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “With more than 170 spaces – including 84 for infants and toddlers – these two centres will be able to provide more quality spaces and offer relief to parents in North Vancouver.”

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. In addition, more than 450 licensed spaces have been created to date through the Childcare BC Start-Up Grant program. More new spaces will be announced for communities throughout B.C. as projects are approved.

The $221-million New Spaces 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 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 Kuddles Early Infant Centre, visit: https://www.kuddles.ca/

For more information about Kids & Company visit: https://kidsandcompany.com/