Child care study kicks off

Photo: Instagram

Child care needs in communities across the Okanagan will be assessed in a new research project funded by the province.

"Care For Our Kids" will look into the state of child care in Kelowna, Lake Country, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna and Peachland, helping government to better understand local child care needs and facilitate better child care spaces in future.

Research begins this month and is expected to wrap up in Feb. 2020, providing communities with a final Action Plan to help them advocate to B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Facilitated by Urban Matters CCC, research will be conducted in various forms including focus groups, interviews and workshops. 

City of Kelowna community recreation coordinator and project facilitator Tom Clark says it is important this project spans the entire Central Okanagan and is not focused on one specific community.

“We are aware that there is crossover in child care between communities and are looking to interpret those trends and assess the gaps in care.”

Researchers are asking for community input from parents, guardians and child care providers. A short survey will be available online until Oct. 14, and focus groups will be held in each community at the end of September. 

To access the survey or register for focus groups, please visit the Care For Our Kids webpage.