Comox Valley Schools will be creating additional licensed childcare spaces on Denman Island after receiving nearly $1 million in funding from the Government of British Columbia.
The government is helping fund the creation of 22,000 licensed childcare spaces throughout the province, as part of the new Childcare B.C. New Spaces Fund.
The District received a funding grant of $992,520 through the program to build a standalone childcare facility on the Denman Island Community School site.
Denman Island faces a severe shortage of licensed childcare facilities. Funding will allow for the creation of 20 additional spaces for children ages 12 months to 5 years, helping to relieve the growing demand on the Denman Island Preschool Society.
Superintendent Tom Demeo said a new facility will bring years of aid to the community.
“The creation of a new childcare facility will establish a legacy of support for these young families. Partnering with Blackberry Lane and the community to provide the necessary infrastructure on our school grounds means the interest and well-being of the community will flourish.”
Building designs for the care facility are underway. The school board aims to have the facility open to pre-school children by summer 2020.
