Families from the Xa’xtsa (Douglas) First Nation will soon have access to more than 40 new licensed child care spaces as part of the Province’s ongoing commitment to increase child care through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.  

“The child care that will be offered at Tipella Child Care Centre will be beneficial for families and help children from the Douglas First Nation remain connected to their culture, community and traditions as they grow,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “The new, accessible facility will also ensure that children of all abilities will be able to safely access the building and participate in the centre’s activities.”

Childcare BC’s New Spaces Fund is supporting the Tipella Child Care Centre to create 46 spaces for children up to the age of 12 years, including 30 spaces for school-age children, which are expected to be available in February 2021.

“We are pleased to be operating a new facility where children can grow and develop while learning about their history and culture from Elders,” said Rosemary Stager Wallace, health director, Southern Stl'atl'imx Health Society. “Providing our young ones with Indigenous education is important to keeping our culture alive. Children at the centre will learn the Ucwalmicwts language, and access to a community kitchen and garden will allow for lessons on traditional food and medicine.”

The community-focused centre will be operated by the Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society and will work closely with a health nurse, dentist and traditional healer to provide services for families.

“Providing quality, affordable and inclusive child care goes hand in hand with a strong, vibrant economy,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “By funding nearly 16,800 new licensed spaces throughout the province, our government is helping more parents return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities knowing that when they drop their kids off in the morning, they’ll get the nurturing support they need to grow and thrive.”

July 2020 marks the second anniversary of the launch of the New Spaces Fund, which has approved an average of 700 new spaces for funding each month. So far, nearly 16,800 new spaces have been funded throughout the province, helping parents return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities. 

These new spaces are part of the fastest creation of child care spaces in B.C.’s history. An additional 4,100 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, means that more than 20,900 new licensed spaces have been funded since July 2017.

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.

Quick Facts:

• This investment means 46 new licensed child care spaces have been funded in Mount Currie since July 2018.
• As the Province moves toward its “new normal” under COVID-19, child care capital builds may see unexpected delays.
• Once operational, child care providers will be required to follow guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control to keep staff and the families they serve safe and to limit the risk of transmission.

Learn More:

For information on health and safety standards for child care, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareCovid-19Response 

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

For more information on child care in the Douglas First Nation, visit:
https://www.acc-society.bc.ca/services/aboriginal-child-care-resource-and-referral-program/  

To learn more about the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, 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

A backgrounder follows.