More than 400 new licensed childcare spaces will be opening in Richmond, the provincial government announced this week.
“Creating new childcare spaces is one of the ways we are making life better for families in Richmond,” said Richmond South Centre MLA Henry Yao in a statement. “Through this investment, more parents will be able to go back to work or school, knowing their children are being cared for in a safe and educational environment.”
The 403 new spaces will be available at seven centres across the city, which are slated to open either this year or next, according to the provincial government's Thursday announcement. The seven projects are supported by funding from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund.
Richmond School District is building a new facility at Tomsett elementary which will open in early 2022. The centre will have 42 new licensed childcare spaces, including 24 spaces for children aged three to kindergarten and 18 school-age spaces.
Sprouts Child Care Centre, operated by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, will offer 77 new spaces, including 12 spaces for infants and toddlers, 25 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 20 preschool spaces and 20 school-age spaces. The centre is slated to open this spring.
Hummingbird Child Care Centre will also be operated by the YMCA and is expected to open in spring 2022. It will have 37 new spaces, including 12 spaces for infants and toddlers and 25 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten.
Seedlings Early Childhood Development Hub will provide 77 new spaces, including 12 spaces for infants and toddlers, 25 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten, 10 preschool spaces and 30 school-age spaces. It will open in early 2022 and will be run by the Richmond Society of Community Living.
Aves Flow will open later this year in the London Landings neighbourhood of Steveston. It will have 42 new spaces, including 20 spaces for infants and toddlers and 22 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten.
Academics pre-kindergarten YVR will provide 72 new spaces, including 32 spaces for infants and toddlers and 40 spaces for children aged three to Kindergarten. It’s expected to open this year.
Willowbrae Childcare Academy in South Richmond, set to open in June, will have 56 spaces, including 24 spaces for infants and toddlers and 32 spaces for children aged three years to kindergarten.
According to the provincial government, 1,123 spaces have been funded in Richmond since July 2018. Across B.C., more than 20,000 new licensed child care spaces have been funded since then.
