Northern Interior families to benefit from new child care spaces. (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Children and Family Development

Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-5150

Backgrounders

New child care spaces create more options for families

This backgrounder contains additional information on the four projects that will create 117.5 new licensed child care spaces in Quesnel, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson and Valemount. Of these, 83 spaces are expected to be open by the fall.

YMCA École Frank Ross School Age Child Care (Dawson Creek) 

Renovations to École Frank Ross will repurpose the school’s library to create 24 child care spaces for school-age children. The facility will be operated by the YMCA of Northern B.C., which currently provides quality programs for more than 600 children from zero to 12 years in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fort St. John and Chetwynd. The facility is expected to be open by the fall.

Hillside Clubhouse (Fort Nelson) 

This project will see the double portable at the RL Angus Elementary school relocated to a site adjacent to J.S. Clark Elementary school. Before- and after-school care will be provided at both this school site and at G.W. Carlson Elementary school and will create 55.5 new child care spaces – including 8.5 new preschool spaces and 47 new spaces for school-age children. Both schools have StrongStart BC and Ready, Set, Learn programs, as well as outdoor equipment. School District #81 (Fort Nelson) is partnering with the Fort Nelson Family Development Society to provide the child care and preschool programs. The relocation of the portables and the establishment of programs are expected to be in place by August 2021.

Quesnel Community Childcare Centre (Quesnel) 

This new facility will create 34 new child care spaces – including eight for infants and toddlers, two for children aged three years to kindergarten and 24 for school-aged children. The facility will be operated by the Quesnel and District Day Care Society, in partnership with the City of Quesnel, and will provide culturally appropriate toys, books and food. The facility is expected to be completed by spring 2022.

Valemount Children’s Activity Society (Valemount) 

Renovations at the Valemount Children’s Activity Society will create four new child care spaces for infants and toddlers. The facility is wheelchair accessible and offers programs like Life Skills and Community Playdate to parents and other community members, providing support with parenting and relationships. The renovations are expected to be completed by September 2021.