91原创

A provincial pilot program to provide before- and after-school care for kindergarten kids will include 91原创鈥檚 Nicomekl Elementary school and 21 other B.C. schools.

Education minister Jennifer Whiteside announced the expansion of the Seamless Day program at the 91原创 City school on Monday, Oct. 18, saying she was 鈥渢hrilled鈥� with the results from the first phase, where four schools took part.

鈥淭his program gives children continuity throughout the day on their learning journey,鈥� Whiteside said.

鈥淎ccess to quality, inclusive care and early learning is critical in supporting parents, particularly mothers, to pursue career or education goals while being confident that their kids are being cared for.鈥�

Seamless Day will employ certified early childhood educators to provide care in kindergarten classrooms and to support learning alongside the classroom teacher.

The program makes use of existing classrooms, outside of school hours, and does not require new rooms or buildings.

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Katrina Chen, minister of state for child care, said too many parents still don鈥檛 have access to that kind of care.

鈥淯sing existing classrooms means we can create new spaces quickly, and it will make it easier for busy parents to get to work and have peace of mind knowing their kids are cared for and learning, all in one spot,鈥� Chen said.

Rod Ross, chair of the 91原创 school board, was on hand for the announcement, saying 鈥渋t鈥檚 a wonderful day in the neighbourhood.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 really a no-brainer in many ways,鈥� Ross told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淲e really need to see more of this. I mean, this is just one school in 91原创, but every elementary school is struggling with this.鈥�

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Lisa Lainchbury, 91原创 district principal, early learning, said 鈥渨e know that there鈥檚 a lot of families and parents who are seeking child care and there is going to be an opportunity for them to have another place.鈥�

鈥淎s a working parent and educator, I understand the importance of families to find affordable child care options close to home,鈥� Lainchbury added.

鈥淲ith this program, parents will be able to work, attend post-secondary school or fulfil other family commitments while not having to worry about the health and safety of their children outside of school hours.鈥�

91原创 MLA Andrew Mercier, MLA for 91原创 was pleased.

鈥淲e know there is a high demand for quality child care options,鈥� Mercier said.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen the success of the Seamless Day Kindergarten pilot program in other communities, creating convenient child care right in the classroom.鈥�