Nanaimo families benefit from new child care centre

NANAIMO - New child care spaces are now available for more Nanaimo families, providing much-needed early learning and care opportunities.

"This new child care centre is much needed and helps Nanaimo families pursue further opportunities," said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. "Improving access to child care spaces gives kids the best possible start and supports parents to plan a brighter future for their families."

The Province partnered with Nanaimo Innovation Academy Foundation to build 16 additional child care spaces at the existing centre with $500,000 from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. The funding supported the cost of construction, large appliances, outdoor play equipment and a bus.

"We are so pleased that we have opened more spaces in Nanaimo, as there is an urgent need for high-quality child care," said Keely Freeman, executive director, Nanaimo Innovation Academy. "The space is intentionally designed to spark creativity and imagination in our children, provide a safe and caring environment, and connect children to their community and nature."

Nanaimo Innovation Academy (NIA) uses different ways of teaching to make programs fit each student's needs, interests and growth. NIA also participates in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and parents are saving as much as $900 per child per month.

"The quality of care at Nanaimo Innovation Academy is evident in both of our children's excitement on the days they get to go to daycare," said Jessica Landry, a parent. "Our children love to be outside, rain or shine, every day because they have grown up in a daycare setting that spends a majority of its days outside. We fully acknowledge that having our children in care at NIA is a true privilege, with quality care unmatched in Nanaimo."

Since 2018, through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, more than 34,000 licensed child care spaces have been funded for creation in B.C., with more than 1,300 of these in Nanaimo and surrounding areas. Funding the creation of new child care spaces is part of the Province's goal to build access to affordable, quality, inclusive child care as a core service families can rely on.

The Province and the Government of Canada invested more than $260 million last year to fund the creation of new licensed child care spaces in high-need areas throughout B.C.

Learn More:
For information about the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare/newspacesfund

For information about ChildCareBC, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare

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