South Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Child Care Action Plan report

News Article

High-quality, accessible and affordable child care is essential to the well-being of children, families and the broader community. Child care plays a critical role in economic development, poverty reduction, gender equality, social inclusion, and healthy child development.

The South Okanagan-Similkameen Child Care Action Plan project was launched in July 2020 as a regional endeavor. To help guide the project, a steering committee was established consisting of representatives from each of the partnering local governments (Village of Keremeos, District of Summerland, Town of Oliver, Town of Princeton and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). The 10-year Action Plan was created by reviewing promising practices in other jurisdictions; reviewing current policy and planning frameworks for each partnering municipality, current demographics and child care service information; and engaging with a wide range of community members and partners.

The Action Plan includes 41 evidence-based recommendations (regional and some specific to partnering local governments) around four strategic priority areas, and future space targets. The project confirmed there is a significant shortage of child care spaces throughout the region (especially for infant-toddlers and school age children), child care is expensive for families, and there is a shortage of qualified and experienced Early Childhood Educators.

The South Okanagan-Similkameen Child Care Action Plan report was received and supported at Community Services Committee on May 6, 2021. The entire report will go to the Board next for approval. Partnering municipalities will be presenting the regional and local findings to their respective Councils over the next few weeks.

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Karla Kozakevich, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:
Augusto Romero
Recreation Manager, Community Services
250-490-4380

Erick Thompson Andrea Rendall
RDOS Communications RDOS Communications
250-490-4211 250-490-4147

 

 

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