Ninety-six new child-care spaces have opened at three elementary schools in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.
Gabriola Elementary, Hammond Bay Elementary and Pleasant Valley Elementary share the new spaces, adding to 24 existing spaces at Fairview Elementary.
Premier David Eby announced in May that the Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Chilliwack and Nechako school districts had been chosen to be part of a pilot program to integrate child care into schools.
The licenced before- and after-school care spaces in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith district have been funded with $720,000 from the Ministry of Education.
The in-school spaces make use of existing facilities and resources, and reduce the need for additional pickups and dropoffs by families, the ministry said.
“I am ecstatic to finally have an after-school child care space for my child after being waitlisted for two years,” said parent Jordan Kennedy in a statement.
“Having after-school child care spaces available right at your child’s school is so important.”
Nanamo-Ladysmith School Board chair Greg Keller said that when students have access to child care at school “it increases their sense of belonging and helps them feel welcome and safe.”
