Childcare

James and Jodie Dobby and baby Jacob receive a book bag at the Roots to Read launch event at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on June 1. The program promotes reading to newborn babies. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

New Island program encourages reading right away to newborn babies

Roots to Read launched last month at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

James and Jodie Dobby and baby Jacob receive a book bag at the Roots to Read launch event at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on June 1. The program promotes reading to newborn babies. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Like many infants, Carolyn Foggo’s son Cobe needs a hypallergenic formula. (Photo credit/Taylor Kizyma)

West Kelowna mom wrestles with baby formula shortage

Baby formula shortage in the U.S. being felt in the Okanagan

Like many infants, Carolyn Foggo’s son Cobe needs a hypallergenic formula. (Photo credit/Taylor Kizyma)
The Sooke School District has announced Beacon Community Services will be providing childcare services at the soon to open Pexsisen Elementary School in Langford with 10 per cent of spaces reserved for district staff. (Black Press Media file photo)

Childcare provider announced for new Langford elementary school

Beacon Community Services will provide services at Pexsisen Elementary School

The Sooke School District has announced Beacon Community Services will be providing childcare services at the soon to open Pexsisen Elementary School in Langford with 10 per cent of spaces reserved for district staff. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jane Taylor Lee, Family Services of Greater Victoria executive director, speaks at the official opening of Little Phoenix Daycare in Victoria Thursday. The centre is the first trauma-informed daycare in B.C. and only the second in Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C.’s first trauma-informed daycare opens in Victoria

Little Phoenix aims to inform policy and inspire similar approaches to childcare

Jane Taylor Lee, Family Services of Greater Victoria executive director, speaks at the official opening of Little Phoenix Daycare in Victoria Thursday. The centre is the first trauma-informed daycare in B.C. and only the second in Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Nearly 400 new childcare spaces were announced this week for Greater Victoria. (Unsplash)

Greater Victoria working parents can celebrate 395 new childcare spaces

New spaces to boost availability at school-based facilities, non-profit sites

Nearly 400 new childcare spaces were announced this week for Greater Victoria. (Unsplash)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, watch Karina Gould, second left, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada and Stephen Lecce, second right, Ontario Minister of Education officially sign an agreement in $10-a-day child-care program deal in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, March 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

With daycare deals done, Liberals look to craft bill to enshrine child-care system

Deal with NDP gives government extra time to craft legislation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, watch Karina Gould, second left, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada and Stephen Lecce, second right, Ontario Minister of Education officially sign an agreement in $10-a-day child-care program deal in Brampton, Ont., on Monday, March 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (File photo)

Tofino scores 3 new childcare workers through offer of free tuition, housing

District takes unique approach to address childcare resource crunch

The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (File photo)
Seven-year-old Aaliyah Wood (from left) reads along with Paige Bennett, team lead and facility manager at BGC South Vancouver Island, while Tiana Ramsay, professional practice manager of child and youth programs, gives five-year-old Hudson Crouch a hand with his reading at the BGCSVI Central Saanich Club. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

After-school programming in the heart of Brentwood Bay

BGCSVI taking registrations for this term and next school year, beside elementary school

Seven-year-old Aaliyah Wood (from left) reads along with Paige Bennett, team lead and facility manager at BGC South Vancouver Island, while Tiana Ramsay, professional practice manager of child and youth programs, gives five-year-old Hudson Crouch a hand with his reading at the BGCSVI Central Saanich Club. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Katrina Chen, provincial minister of state for child care, speaks with a Vancouver Island University early education student at a funding announcement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Katrina Chen, provincial minister of state for child care, speaks with a Vancouver Island University early education student at a funding announcement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in Ottawa on Thursday, December 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

Canada Child Benefit still needed alongside national daycare system, minister says

Even if child care dips to $10 a day, minister says some families may need more aid

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in Ottawa on Thursday, December 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney will announce a deal they've reached on child care during an event in Edmonton today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta latest province to ink $10-a-day child-care deal with federal government

Deal is for $3.8 billion in federal funding over the next five years

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney will announce a deal they've reached on child care during an event in Edmonton today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Stock image metrocreatve

Alberta NDP Opposition wants immediate funding for daycare operators during COVID-19

NDP critic: ‘I’ve heard from countless child-care programs that are on the brink of closure’

Stock image metrocreatve
The Alphabet Zoo Early Learning Centre is expanding its capacity to 44 kids. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Langford council rezones Sooke Road lot, daycare boosts capacity

Alphabet Zoo Early Learning Centre had applied for Colwood move, but was rejected

The Alphabet Zoo Early Learning Centre is expanding its capacity to 44 kids. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Orange shirts, shoes, flowers and messages are on display on the steps outside the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in honour of the 215 children whose remains have been discovered buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

COVID recovery and child care are Opposition targets as B.C. legislature returns

Most politicians will be back in-person, following strict pandemic protocols

Orange shirts, shoes, flowers and messages are on display on the steps outside the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in honour of the 215 children whose remains have been discovered buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Six fir tree stumps, an arbutus branch and two doormats were stolen from the Oceanside Building Learning Together’s Munchkinland Exploration Centre in Parksville between Aug. 27 and Aug. 30, 2021. The stumps and branch had been earmarked as decoration for a new childcare program in Errington. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville business owner stumped by theft from childcare centre

6 stumps, an arbutus branch and two doormats taken from Munchkinland Exploration Centre

Six fir tree stumps, an arbutus branch and two doormats were stolen from the Oceanside Building Learning Together’s Munchkinland Exploration Centre in Parksville between Aug. 27 and Aug. 30, 2021. The stumps and branch had been earmarked as decoration for a new childcare program in Errington. (Mandy Moraes photo)
(pixabay file)

Woman who hid 26 kids behind false wall at Colorado daycare guilty

Many of the children had soiled or wet diapers and were sweaty and thirsty

(pixabay file)
A classroom is shown at Hunter’s Glen Junior Public School in Scarborough, Ont., on Monday, September 14, 2020. An advocacy group is calling for Canada to fully integrate child-care and early childhood education into its school systems THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Group calls for integration of early childhood education and school systems

People for Education says there are clear benefits to early childhood education

A classroom is shown at Hunter’s Glen Junior Public School in Scarborough, Ont., on Monday, September 14, 2020. An advocacy group is calling for Canada to fully integrate child-care and early childhood education into its school systems THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A return to normalcy after 15 months of non-medical masks and social distancing is a battle every child in B.C. must now face. (Unsplash)

How B.C. parents can help anxious kids adjust to life as COVID dwindles

Vancouver pediatrician Anamaria Richardson advises parents to express their emotions, create daily routines for their children

A return to normalcy after 15 months of non-medical masks and social distancing is a battle every child in B.C. must now face. (Unsplash)
The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)

B.C. to fund ‘Behind the Mask’ mental health video series for children, teens

The province is spending $555,000 on the digital awareness initiative in partnership with Anxiety Canada

The province is granting Anxiety Canada $555,000 to develop a series of mental health literacy videos, called Behind The Mask. (Unsplash)
Seven-year-old Eva Mailhot Maclean plays in a playground in Montreal, Saturday, May 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

B.C. study probes if more time in the shade as a child prevents skin cancer in adulthood

Researchers will install shade structures outside and track preschool-age children for six months while they play

Seven-year-old Eva Mailhot Maclean plays in a playground in Montreal, Saturday, May 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes