By Dylana Milobar

Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center officially opens

Jan 26, 2019 | 12:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — Parents now have another option for child care in Kamloops, with the official opening of the Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center today (Jan. 26).

Many young families were on hand today for the ribbon cutting, and first tours of the brand new building, which is located in Orchards Walk Developments in Valleyview.

Working on the design since August of 2017, Jere Lorenz, Senior Construction Manager and Developer for Orchards Walk Developments says the day care is 9,623 square feet in size, and will feature 8 classrooms, activity rooms, a full kitchen, 9 washrooms, and can provide care for up to 144 children.

“The materials used for the state-of-the-art kids playground area are natural logs and natural materials.” He adds.

Minister of State for Child Care, Katrina Chen, attended the opening today, and says the provincial government was glad to see their $250,000 contribution towards the $3.7 million facility utilized.

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“This is a great project that we’re working with local providers to create more child care spaces so families have more services,” She says.

According to a release from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the centre is the first child care facility in Kamloops to receive funding through the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.

On top of facilities like the one opening in Kamloops today, Chen says all the different programs the provincial government has been introducing have so far seen success.

“A lot of our funding initiatives are being used, and providers are applying, parents are applying,” She explains, “Our fee reduction initiative, its close to about 90 per cent of providers in B.C that are already joining this program, so there’s tens of thousands of families that are benefiting from it.”

Chen says they’re hearing from many parents who have already started to see an impact from the affordable child care plans.

“That money is going to stay in our communities. Parents will have more room for their budget, for their housing costs, transportation costs, to be able to put more food on the table,” Chen explains, “And we also need to continue to support providers to create those services, and educators who are working hard every day.”

For the Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Center, Chen says the facility has been approved for a fee-reduction. 

“So its not income-tested. All the parents attending this centre, they have four centres in Kamloops, their parent fees are lowered up to $350 per month, depending on the age of the child,” She explains, “So it can be a pretty good portion of their parent fees, depending on how the provider sets the rate.”

Chen adds, for more information, they recommend parents check out their website, which can be accessed here.