New child care centre opening in Chilliwack: province

Chilliwack is getting a new child care centre that can accommodate 32 children, according to the province.

B.C.’s Minister of State for Child Care Grace Lore says the early learning and child care facility will work in partnership with non-profit organizations in order to provide “child care experiences that families want and need.”

“The growing Chilliwack community is benefiting from a new inclusive and accessible child care centre that can support children of all abilities and all cultures,” she said.

One of the non-profit groups involved in the project is the Unique Get Together Society. The province says it provided approximately $1.2 million in funding through ChildCareBC New Spaces in order to renovate a former residential property. Upgrades to the building include a wheelchair accessibility ramp, automatic doors, and play structures it says will be accessible to all children.

The province says this child care centre will offer “holistic, culturally inclusive and nature-based programming.”

“We are called Whole Child Childcare because our philosophy considers the body, mind, and spirit with heart-led programming,” said daycare manager Lousha Angel. “We include Indigenous teachings all throughout the centre. We offer year-round immersive nature-based play with kids planting and growing foods, so children have a connection to the Earth, and we celebrate and learn about all the cultures of our diverse families.”

The province says Whole Child Childcare is one of over 32,000 licensed child care facilities funded through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund since 2018 — with over 800 in Chilliwack and surrounding areas.