Newly opened Into the Woods Early Child Care Studio is located in a picturesque treed setting near the Qualicum Beach's village core. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

child care option

New non-profit outdoor-oriented child care facility opens in Qualicum Beach

Jul 18, 2023 | 2:05 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — In response to a glaring lack of child care options in the Oceanside area, a purpose-built facility in Qualicum Beach is now open.

Into the Woods Early Child Care Studio (IWECCS) is a non-profit initiative for infants to five-year-olds located on a treed lot at 330 Dorset Rd. near the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre.

IWECCS Society co-chair Karen Charlesworth said the licensed facility with 37 spaces is backed by professional child care staff.

Outdoor learning will be a constant fixture at the facility, she said.

“Our site will be a balance of an outdoor and indoor space. During a huge amount of the year we can be outside, we have a large covered area. My line is there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing,” Charlesworth told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Unstructured outdoor play is commonplace at Into the Woods Early Child Care Studio. (Submitted photo)

The Town of Qualicum Beach-owned building was supported by $1.5 million in provincial government funding and nearly $1 million in Union of BC Municipalities funds.

More than $200,000 was contributed by the Town of Qualicum Beach towards the project.

Charlesworth said the facility had a soft launch last month, noting additional staff and children will be added incrementally in the weeks ahead.

She believes the non-profit model will serve everybody’s interests well.

“We know from research that purpose-built centres with qualified staff that are fairly compensated — that provides quality care,” Charlesworth said, pointing out early reviews from parents have been positive.

Into the Woods Early Learning Child Care Studio is open Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Establishing the child care space was a long time coming.

Charlesworth said a critical shortage in the Qualicum Beach area was identified, leading to the start of an application process in 2019 to make the facility a reality.

She said they have already applied to be converted into a $10-a-day facility, which can only be granted by the province after the facility is open for an entire year.

More information on Into the Woods Early Learning Child Care Studio can be found here.

An open house for the facility took place on Saturday, July 15.

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