BGC Okanagan to provide licensed child care services at new locations
(May 26. 2021) – BGC Okanagan will provide licensed child care services at three new facilities in the Okanagan, allowing more parents to return to work, go back to school or pursue other opportunities as the Province invests in more than 790 licensed child care spaces.
The Province announced that they have invested in three new School District 23 (Central Okanagan) facilities – North Glenmore (Kelowna), Anne McClymont Elementary School (Kelowna) and Hudson Road Elementary School (West Kelowna) – which are set to open in 2022. These facilities combine for a total of 276 new licensed child care spaces for the Central Okanagan.
“This funding will provide further opportunities to access our affordable, high-quality childcare programs, which is more critical than ever to parents in our communities as we look ahead to economic and social recovery. As a leading provider of child care programs, we can continue our commitment to provide inclusive, safe environments with our caring staff who make a significant difference in the lives of children and families across the Okanagan,” said Jeremy Welder, CEO of BGC Okanagan.
The Province has funded almost 26,000 new licensed spaces since the launch of Childcare BC – more than 6,000 of which are now open.
An additional 4,370 spaces, funded through the 2017 Budget Update and the Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, takes the total number of new child care spaces funded since July 2017 to more than 29,300.
“As we enter the fourth year of our 10-year Childcare BC plan, thousands of families are already feeling the life-changing impact of having affordable, quality and inclusive child care,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “As we continue to build towards an inclusive universal child care system, these new spaces will make it easier for parents, especially mothers, to pursue their own goals, while also being part of B.C.’s economic recovery.”
Quick Facts:
Keep checking the BGC Okanagan website for registration information as an announcement will be made when registration will open, and the most up-to-date information will be found on the BGC Okanagan website.
BGC Okanagan: Anne McClymont (Kelowna)
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) is building a facility and playground at Anne McClymont Elementary School. The facility will provide a total of 92 new licensed child care spaces, including eight spaces for infants and toddlers, 16 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 48 spaces for school-aged children and 20 preschool spaces. BGC Okanagan will operate the centre, which is expected to open in September 2022.
BGC Okanagan: North Glenmore (Kelowna)
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) is building a facility and playground at North Glenmore Elementary School. The facility will provide a total of 92 new licensed child care spaces, including eight spaces for infants and toddlers, 16 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 48 spaces for school-aged children and 20 preschool spaces. It is expected to open in September 2022. The facility will work with the Okanagan Métis Society, Starbright Development Centre and the Okanagan Autism Society to care for children with support needs. The Club will support families by providing food and Christmas hampers through the Adopt-a-Family program and will operate a family-resource program to provide on-site and community services.
BGC Okanagan: Hudson Road Elementary
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) is building a facility and playground at Anne McClymont Elementary School. The facility will provide a total of 92 new licensed child care spaces, including eight spaces for infants and toddlers, 16 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 48 spaces for school-aged children and 20 preschool spaces. BGC Okanagan will operate the centre, which is expected to open in November 2022.