The City of New Westminster is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of a new licensed full-day child care program at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. Construction was funded with a significant $3,045,000 grant from the Province of B.C.’s ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. Operated by the YMCA, Sea Otter YMCA Child Care Centre will be able to accommodate 37 infant/toddler and preschool-aged children.
“təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre was carefully designed to meet the needs and priorities of our rapidly-growing community, and a child care space was a key component of this,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “The City of New Westminster thanks the Province of B.C. for its significant funding contribution to this new child care facility, and helping us continue to fulfil our commitment to realizing more affordable child care in every part of our community.”
The City contributed $100,443 towards the construction of the təməsew̓txʷ child care facility, as well as furnishings and equipment. A total of $3,045,000 in grant funding was provided by the Province for construction and furnishing. Sea Otter YMCA Child Care Centre will be the third new child care space to open in the past year through funding support from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund: Queensborough YMCA KidsClub in December 2023, and Queensborough K.I.D.S. in March 2023.
“For many years before the launch of ChildCareBC, child care wasn’t treated as a necessity and it left families in New Westminster facing the ongoing challenge of securing reliable child care,” said Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster. “We’re changing that. With the establishment of this new child care centre, we are committed to working with the City to make it easier for New Westminster families to access affordable, quality and inclusive child care because we know it’s life-changing.”
Sea Otter YMCA Child Care Centre will be a licensed early years child care program led by professional and passionate Early Childhood Educators. The program follows the YMCA’s Playing to Learn curriculum, which provides children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive while enjoying a safe and welcoming environment. The centre anticipates opening in May 2024. Families interested in registering their children can learn more at gv.ymca.ca/child-care.
Sea Otter YMCA Child Care Centre will celebrate its grand opening as part of the grand opening event for təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, scheduled for June 1, 2024. More details will be announced in the coming months.
The City of New Westminster prides itself on being a municipal leader in child care, having facilitated close to 1,200 child care spaces since 2010, and contributing nearly $500,000 in civic grants to non-profit child care operators to enhance quality and increase availability. The City will continue its commitment to being a leader and an active partner in maintaining and developing quality, accessible, and affordable child care spaces in the community.