The announcement which was made Friday, notes that the funding will come from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and with support the Gitga'at First Nations will assist in the construction of a new stand alone building where 15 school aged child care spaces and nine spaces for children under the age of twelve will be available for local families.
“By making investments in child care, we are giving more parents the option to pursue their work or educational goals, knowing that their kids have a safe, nurturing environment to learn in. I’m proud that this investment will mean better access to good-quality and culturally appropriate child care for families in Hartley Bay, and a facility that meets the community’s needs.” -- North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice
The Hartley Bay facility will feature a curriculum will be created with input from Elders to provide children with culturally enriched learning, such as storytelling, language and traditional art. The existing centre currently provides morning and afternoon snacks for children at no additional cost to parents, and at the new building, which is located across from the local elementary school’s home economics building, the children will receive lunch as well.
The centre will provide staff with the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications locally and become certified early childhood educators without having to travel for their certificates. In addition to the child care centre, the building will house an Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve, with seven spaces moving from another location. The project is part of the Gitga’at First Nation’s strategic plan, which includes building a hotel and restaurant, grocery store and commercial community kitchen.
More notes on the Friday announcement can be found here.
Further items of interest from the Legislature can be explored here.
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