Parents in the Shuswap region have more options for child care with the addition of 19 new licensed child care spaces in the area, including the first licensed family child care centre in Sicamous.

The Province is investing $70,485 under the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund to support the creation of 12 spaces at Tiny Tykes n Tots Childcare Centre in Salmon Arm – opened as of March 2019 – and another seven spaces at Krystal’s Creative Kidz in Sicamous. Krystal’s Creative Kidz is expected to open in June 2019.

“The New Spaces Fund is just one way that the B.C. government is supporting the creation of new child care spaces in these communities and throughout the province,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development, during Child Care Month celebrations. “Giving parents more child care options means giving them an opportunity to go back to work or school, or pursue goals that will help them better support their families.”

Tiny Tykes n Tots received $40,485 to help equip its new infant and toddler centre. The child care facility will host Indigenous Early Childhood Education students from Okanagan College for the practicum portion of their program. The centre also has a relationship with the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society, where children will be able to learn about the history of the local area.

Krystal’s Creative Kidz received $30,000 to create an indoor play space and make the facility wheelchair accessible. The owner, Krystal Johnson, will also work with young parents in need to keep child care more affordable and will provide extras like healthy snacks, sunscreen and additional clothing for children who may need extra support.

“Creating new, quality, licensed child care spaces is the whole idea behind the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “These two new child care centres are providing much-needed spaces that will give parents peace of mind knowing their kids are being cared for in a quality, licensed centre.”

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

The Childcare BC New Spaces Fund is part of the Province’s Childcare BC plan and supports its commitment to give B.C. families access to affordable, quality child care when they want or need it. Over the past seven months, the Province has funded more than 4,000 new licensed child care spaces through Childcare BC. More new spaces will be announced as projects are approved.

Investing in child care and early childhood education is a shared priority between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Quotes:

Teena Billey, owner, Tiny Tykes n Tots –

“I am very thankful to the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund for funding the equipment for our new infant toddler centre. With its help, I was able to open the facility at the beginning of March, with new spaces that are much-needed in our Salmon Arm community.”

Krystal Johnson, owner, Krystal’s Creative Kidz –

“I am excited and thankful for the opportunity the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund has given me by supporting my plans to create Krystal’s Creative Kidz. I am looking forward to connecting with families in Sicamous, and creating and providing quality, licensed child care for our community.”

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