A Richmond daycare celebrated their grand re-opening on Sea Island last week, after struggling to find a new home.
Little Wings Daycare, a not-for-profit centre, re-opened after fretting that the centre may be grounded by the costs of purchasing a new space, moving and securing playground equipment when their lease expired on May 31, 2019.
Diana Aon, Little Wings Daycare director, said they were “concerned about the challenges” in finding a new location, but was able to move temporarily into a space at the Air Canada Ops building from June to December of last year.
However, when the non-profit society that runs the centre applied for and received a $1.5 million Childcare BC New Spaces grant from the provincial government, everything turned around. Thanks to the grant, they’ve been able to not just relocate, but open an additional 10 new child care spaces on top of the original 40.
On top of the grant, the Vancouver Airport Authority assited in arranging the new location for the centre, project managed the construction of the new building and contributed financially to it.
Beth Henschel, president of the board of directors for Little Wings Daycare Society, said they are “humbled by the support of the community, the dedication of (their) incredible staff and the tireless work (of their) volunteer board of directors to make (the) relocation possible.”
At the grand opening, Aon was joined by Katrina Chen, minister of state for child care, Craig Richmond, president of the Vancouver Airport Authority, Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond North Centre and other contributors.
Katrina Chen, minister of state for childcare, said that as a mother she knows how difficult it can be to find “quality child care close to home.”
“By investing in these spaces our government is not only providing relief for families, but supporting a quality learning environment where children can grow and thrive.”
In January, the provincial government announced Richmond will receive funding to support 137 new affordable childcare spaces by the end of 2020.
