Childcare

Oliver Elementary was the first school in B.C. to trial the Seamless Day Kindergarten. (Google Maps)

B.C. pilot that turns Kindergarten classrooms into daycare spaces deemed huge success

The program integrates before- and after-school care into the kindergarten classroom

 

Milo Judd plays in the family’s garden, holding a toy that matched the size of his body when he was born. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Born weighing two pounds, toddler Milo now an Island child development ambassador

Comox Valley Child Development Association announces ambassador family

 

Robert De Niro performing stand up.

Robert De Niro, at 79, becomes a father for the 7th time

Robert De Niro has welcomed another child. The 79-year-old is now the…

 

Rogers Elementary in Saanich as seen on Friday, Feb. 10. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

‘We are devastated’: SD61 boots Saanich child-care centre after 32 years

School district hasn’t given child-care operator a reason

Rogers Elementary in Saanich as seen on Friday, Feb. 10. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a CEFA (Core Education and Fine Arts) Early Learning daycare franchise, in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. Families in Nunavut are now paying an average of $10 a day for child care, the first jurisdiction to achieve the goal under a Canada-wide plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

As parents celebrate lower child-care fees, will provinces keep up with demand?

Shortage of early childhood educators has been an ongoing issue

Children’s backpacks and shoes are seen at a CEFA (Core Education and Fine Arts) Early Learning daycare franchise, in Langley, B.C., on May 29, 2018. Families in Nunavut are now paying an average of $10 a day for child care, the first jurisdiction to achieve the goal under a Canada-wide plan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The City of Colwood has approved more than $300,000 worth of support for a new childcare facility which will have 97 childcare spaces. (Courtesy of Low Hammond Rowe Architects)

Colwood approves $300K of support to create child-care spaces

A new facility is to be built near Colwood Elementary School

The City of Colwood has approved more than $300,000 worth of support for a new childcare facility which will have 97 childcare spaces. (Courtesy of Low Hammond Rowe Architects)
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals aim to secure long-term role for feds in national child-care system

New legislation introduced, does not make any specific financial promises

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Saanich daycare kerfuffle reveals dire state of childcare in Greater Victoria

Non-refundable deposit not returned once parents learned of provider’s criminal history

Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ board has approved a pilot project for before- and after-school care for school-aged children set to begin fall 2023. (News Bulletin file)

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School to launch child care pilot next school year

Before- and after-school care will be offered to school-aged children

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ board has approved a pilot project for before- and after-school care for school-aged children set to begin fall 2023. (News Bulletin file)
Applications for B.C.’s $10-a-day child care program opened June 20. (Black Press Media file photo)

Applications open for $10-a-day child care as B.C. doubles number of spaces available

Spaces to expand from 6,500 to 12,500 by December, province says

Applications for B.C.’s $10-a-day child care program opened June 20. (Black Press Media file photo)
James and Jodie Dobby and baby Jacob receive a book bag at the Roots to Read launch event at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on June 1. The program promotes reading to newborn babies. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

New Island program encourages reading right away to newborn babies

Roots to Read launched last month at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

James and Jodie Dobby and baby Jacob receive a book bag at the Roots to Read launch event at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on June 1. The program promotes reading to newborn babies. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Like many infants, Carolyn Foggo’s son Cobe needs a hypallergenic formula. (Photo credit/Taylor Kizyma)

West Kelowna mom wrestles with baby formula shortage

Baby formula shortage in the U.S. being felt in the Okanagan

Like many infants, Carolyn Foggo’s son Cobe needs a hypallergenic formula. (Photo credit/Taylor Kizyma)
The Sooke School District has announced Beacon Community Services will be providing childcare services at the soon to open Pexsisen Elementary School in Langford with 10 per cent of spaces reserved for district staff. (Black Press Media file photo)

Childcare provider announced for new Langford elementary school

Beacon Community Services will provide services at Pexsisen Elementary School

The Sooke School District has announced Beacon Community Services will be providing childcare services at the soon to open Pexsisen Elementary School in Langford with 10 per cent of spaces reserved for district staff. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jane Taylor Lee, Family Services of Greater Victoria executive director, speaks at the official opening of Little Phoenix Daycare in Victoria Thursday. The centre is the first trauma-informed daycare in B.C. and only the second in Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C.’s first trauma-informed daycare opens in Victoria

Little Phoenix aims to inform policy and inspire similar approaches to childcare

Jane Taylor Lee, Family Services of Greater Victoria executive director, speaks at the official opening of Little Phoenix Daycare in Victoria Thursday. The centre is the first trauma-informed daycare in B.C. and only the second in Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Nearly 400 new childcare spaces were announced this week for Greater Victoria. (Unsplash)

Greater Victoria working parents can celebrate 395 new childcare spaces

New spaces to boost availability at school-based facilities, non-profit sites

Nearly 400 new childcare spaces were announced this week for Greater Victoria. (Unsplash)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, watch Karina Gould, second left, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada and Stephen Lecce, second right, Ontario Minister of Education officially sign an agreement in $10-a-day child-care program deal in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, March 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

With daycare deals done, Liberals look to craft bill to enshrine child-care system

Deal with NDP gives government extra time to craft legislation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, watch Karina Gould, second left, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada and Stephen Lecce, second right, Ontario Minister of Education officially sign an agreement in $10-a-day child-care program deal in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, March 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (File photo)

Tofino scores 3 new childcare workers through offer of free tuition, housing

District takes unique approach to address childcare resource crunch

The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (File photo)
Seven-year-old Aaliyah Wood (from left) reads along with Paige Bennett, team lead and facility manager at BGC South Vancouver Island, while Tiana Ramsay, professional practice manager of child and youth programs, gives five-year-old Hudson Crouch a hand with his reading at the BGCSVI Central Saanich Club. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

After-school programming in the heart of Brentwood Bay

BGCSVI taking registrations for this term and next school year, beside elementary school

Seven-year-old Aaliyah Wood (from left) reads along with Paige Bennett, team lead and facility manager at BGC South Vancouver Island, while Tiana Ramsay, professional practice manager of child and youth programs, gives five-year-old Hudson Crouch a hand with his reading at the BGCSVI Central Saanich Club. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Katrina Chen, provincial minister of state for child care, speaks with a Vancouver Island University early education student at a funding announcement. (Black Press Media file photo)

More spots for early childhood education students coming to Camosun College

Provincial funding allowing for 24 additional spaces

Katrina Chen, provincial minister of state for child care, speaks with a Vancouver Island University early education student at a funding announcement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in Ottawa on Thursday, December 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

Canada Child Benefit still needed alongside national daycare system, minister says

Even if child care dips to $10 a day, minister says some families may need more aid

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in Ottawa on Thursday, December 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle