Summary

• $16 million in government funding will create 182 new child care spaces for local families
• City of Kelowna anticipates 2026 start to construction of new activity centres in Glenmore and Mission, which will host the spaces
• Since 2018, more than 2,390 new child care spaces have been funded in Kelowna and surrounding areas

__________

More families in Kelowna will have access to affordable, high-quality child care at new activity centres in Glenmore and Mission, which will help lower expenses, reduce waiting lists and help families balance work, school and home life.

“Kelowna is a fast-growing community, which is why we are investing in more child care spaces,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “When complete, these new spaces will give parents peace of mind, ease financial pressure and allow parents to balance work and family life. Affordable, reliable child care is a major win for communities and we’re proud to be delivering the support families deserve.”

Helping more Kelowna families

The activity centres in Mission and Glenmore will each have 12 licensed child care spaces for children younger than 36 months, 25 spaces for children between 30 months and school age, and 54 spaces for school-age children.

“These new child care centres will give families in Kelowna opportunities to connect and thrive,” said Anna Gainey, federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth. “By investing in affordable child care, we’re helping families access the support they need close to home.”

Working with community partners

• The new spaces were funded by more than $16 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.
• The fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding provided under the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. British Columbia and the federal government signed an extension to the agreement covering 2026-27 until 2030-31.

Creating more child care spaces throughout B.C.

• Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s space-creation programs have delivered more child care for families:
  • more than 42,200 new licensed child care spaces funded in communities throughout B.C.
  • more than 27,700 of those child care spaces are now open and serving families
  • more than 2,390 new child care spaces in Kelowna and surrounding areas are now open

Funding new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care, and one of the many ways government is working to reduce costs for families.

Quote:

Tom Dyas, mayor, Kelowna –

“Our Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative is delivering new recreation facilities that support a long-term vision for our city’s future, one that increases spaces for families, strengthens sport, community infrastructure and our local economy. Reliable child care is a crucial part of that vision. New spaces at the Glenmore and Mission activity centres, supported by the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, will give families child care close to home and help parents return to work.”

Quick Facts:

• ChildCareBC affordability programs are saving families throughout B.C. an average of $7,200 per year on child care fees at more than 170,700 spaces for children 12 and under.
• Since 2018, ChildCareBC has saved B.C. families more than $3 billion.
• No matter the child care option parents choose, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides direct, tax-free support, helping approximately 3.5 million families every year, including more than 450,000 families in B.C.
  • For many families, the benefit significantly reduces the burden of child care expenses, eliminating them in some cases, thanks to federal, provincial and territorial investments to reduce child care fees in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Learn More:

• For more information aboutChildCareBC, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare
• For more information about the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/early-learning-child-care-agreement/agreements-provinces-territories/british-columbia-canada-wide-2021.html