Skip to content

Province announces support for creation of more than 300 childcare spaces in Nanaimo

Spaces will be created at Core Education Fine Arts, Inquiring Little Minds and new VIU centre
21958963_web1_200701-NBU-childcare-announcement-2_1
B.C. minister of state for child care Katrina Chen speaks with a VIU early education student at a funding announcement at the university earlier this year. (News Bulletin file photo)

The provincial government will work with partners to expand childcare options in the city to the tune of more than 300 new spaces.

According to a press release from the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development, 131 spaces will be offered at a new centre called Inquiring Little Minds, 120 spaces at Core Education Fine Arts Early Learning Nanaimo, and 75 spaces will be created at a new childcare centre at Vancouver Island University.

The province says its Childcare B.C. new spaces fun is supporting the new spaces at Inquiring Little Minds, which it says will be inclusive, accessible, and offer “culturally safe programming” that will include indigenous voices and perspectives. The centre is expected to open in November, the province says.

The CEFA centre opened this past December and the ministry says its curriculum “educates children academically, socially, emotionally and physically.”

VIU’s new, accessible building, expected to be open in early 2023, will function as both a child care centre and also as a training hub where students in programs, including early childhood education, social work and nursing, will be offered a practicum, according to the province.

“Families in Nanaimo have been struggling for far too long to find quality care in their community,” said Katrina Chen, minister of state for child care, in the release. “These new licensed child care spaces will support parents returning to work, especially as we transition out of this difficult time. Families will have access to quality care, as well as extra resources and supports for their entire family.”

Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, said the 326 spaces mean strong foundations for children, with breaks on costs for families.

Patricia O’Hagan, dean of VIU’s faculty of health and human services, said the university’s child-care centre has a goal of extended hours to help provide options for parents who attend classes.

“The centre will offer parents who are learning and working at VIU a desperately needed service,” she said.

READ ALSO: B.C. government announces $2 million for childcare professional development

READ ALSO: Province announces more childcare spaces created in Nanaimo

READ ALSO: Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum partner on studying child care needs



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter