A second city-owned Seedlings Early Childhood Development (ECD) hub has officially opened in Richmond.
The facility is located at 6380 No. 3 Rd. in the Brighouse area and provides 107 licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers and children up to 12 years of age.
This 19,000 sq. ft. indoor and 11,300 sq. ft. outdoor hub space has a large multi-purpose room, ancillary office space, commercial kitchen and outdoor amenity area.
Licensed child care programs, child development services and family-strengthening programs are being offered at the new ECD hub.
Aspire Richmond, formerly known as the Richmond Society for Community Living, is the operator for Seedlings ECD hub.
The not-for-profit society received a grant -- through the provincial ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund -- to purchase furniture and equipment for the space.
“Aspire Richmond is pleased to celebrate our 40th anniversary with the opening of Seedlings Early Childhood Development Hub,” said Shannon Crofton, CEO of Aspire Richmond.
“This new facility will support children and their families by providing safe, accessible, and inclusive childcare – a need that is only growing in our community. Aspire Richmond is grateful for the visionary partnership that the City of Richmond has provided in making this new centre a reality.”
Seedlings ECD hub is Richmond's 12th city-owned purpose-built child care facility.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie said ensuring families have access to high-quality and affordable child care service is an "ongoing commitment" for the city as it is highlighted in Richmond's 2017-2022 Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy.
“Child care and support for families is vital for the social and economic well-being of the entire community, and the City continues to work in partnership with developers, not-for-profit agencies and other levels of government to provide this much needed and valued service," said Brodie.
Richmond now has 583 licensed child care spaces with the next city-owned facility expected to open in Fall 2022.
