Greater Victoria Welcomes 271 New Childcare Spaces This Fall

Parents in Greater Victoria will find increased accessibility to childcare services this fall, following the announcement of 271 new childcare spaces across the region. On October 17, 2023, the provincial government revealed that this expansion includes 175 spots at the Next Level Child Care Society in Esquimalt, 59 at the Burnside Child Care Centre, and an additional 37 at the Choo Choo Let’s Go Child Care Centre in Sooke.

The initiative aims to provide families with more options when it comes to childcare, catering to the needs of both infants and school-aged children. According to Darlene Rotchford, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Esquimalt-Colwood, “As a mum of two little ones, I know myself how important childcare is to support families while children learn and grow. More childcare in our region means more families with options that work for them when they need it most.”

Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake, also emphasized the importance of quality childcare, stating, “We know families need access to high-quality care for their children. We are proud to build on our commitment to expanding access to community-based childcare.”

The newly announced spaces are part of a broader initiative that will see over 900 new childcare spots opening across 14 communities in British Columbia this fall. This expansion includes significant contributions from various regions, such as Burnaby, Courtenay, Kelowna, Merritt, and Maple Ridge.

Funding for this project totals nearly $34 million, which was sourced from both provincial and federal governments. The financial support has been directed to non-profit organizations as well as local and Indigenous governments through the ChildCareBC program. This strategic investment aims to alleviate the ongoing childcare shortage and enhance the quality of care available to families throughout the province.

As Greater Victoria prepares for these new openings, the community eagerly anticipates the positive impact on families seeking reliable childcare solutions.