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LETTER: School District explains decision to not move forward with Malaspina lease for child care space

Pam Spooner

Editor:

The school district recognizes how important child care is to our communities and is committed
to providing child care spaces in our schools.

Day care is important for many families and that is why the district has six community-run childcare programs, providing approximately 145 spaces for children aged 0-5 years of age. We also have 14 community-run programs providing over 400 assorted childcare spaces for children ages 5-13 years of age.

We have many Early Learning opportunities as well, such as Strong Start and Strong Start Outreach programming at 15 sites across our communities. These provide opportunities for over 1000 children between the ages of 0-5. There are four community run preschool programs, providing approximately 180 spaces for children 30 months to five years of age.

While the lease agreement at Malaspina was not feasible for the district, we remain committed to childcare and will continue to work with the City and childcare providers. We did not back out of a lease. This opportunity started with conversations with the city in December. This building is on city property and our obligations are to provide services to our buildings, property and the students who attend there.

Our legal and risk management team advised against moving forward. We have one successful grant funded through the Province of BCs Childcare BC New Spaces Fund that we will announce once the Province gives us the go ahead. The Daycare Development team for our district also has three more grant applications pending and are working diligently to find more opportunities within our spaces.

I know this decision is frustrating for parents and I hope another solution can be found soon. Our contribution to this important community asset will be providing space within our buildings. We will continue to rely on third party service providers to employ early childhood educators to provide the care.


Pamela Spooner
Acting Superintendent

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