Construction on a new child care centre at VIU is expected to finish by the end of 2022. (VIU)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

child care

New child care centre incoming at VIU to help students and staff

Jun 25, 2020 | 9:58 AM

NANAIMO — A new child care centre at VIU will help ease the burden on students who are also parents.

The ministry of children and family development announced the creation of the new centre at VIU’s Nanaimo campus on Thursday, June 25.

Of the total 75 spaces, 12 are designated for toddlers, a further 50 for children ages three to five and 13 spaces for school-age children.

Patricia O’Hagan, dean of the faculty of health and human services, told NanaimoNewsNOW the new facility will answer a call from the VIU community and also the Nanaimo region.

“Is it going to answer all the needs? It won’t come close but it’s certainly going to be better than what we have now.”

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O’Hagan said the Nanaimo area is considered a childcare desert, with three or more children vying for each available space at a childcare centre.

The space will help students and VIU faculty. O’Hagan said it’s hoped the centre will have openings for the entire Nanaimo community.

As with nearly all VIU programs and initiatives, Indigenous learning will be at the core of the new centre.

“We will support our local Indigenous and underserved community members by focusing on the health promotion and well-being of children and by addressing known inequities in the social determinants through delivery of quality, accessible and affordable child care.”

Students from a wide variety of programs, such as dental, nursing and social work, will also receive hands-on learning through the centre.

O’Hagan said they hope to keep costs at the facility, expected to cost up to $3 million, as low as possible.

The new centre is expected to be open for families in early 2023.

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