Selected empty school classrooms could be turned into child care spaces in the new year, but whether any will be on the Westside remains to be seen.

"On the east side, we have a young parents' day care at Kelowna Secondary School, and we're looking for funding for one at Rutland Secondary, but whether there is a need on the Westside I don't know yet," said Moyra Baxter, chairwoman of the trustees for the Central Okanagan School District.

The possibility comes from a plan released by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in October. It's a child care capital funding program for creation of new child care spaces in schools and public buildings, that can be run by non-profit and private organizations….

Back in 2002-03, the local school board committed to create preschool partnerships. That has expanded to 13 preschool joint ventures, hosted in elementary schools….

… the need in the Central Okanagan seems to be as much about cost as it is about availability of spaces.

"Absolutely we are hearing of need, not just for space but for affordable space. So often parents who work can't afford licensed day care spaces, because by the time they pay for child care, they can't afford to go out to work," said Baxter….

Clara Sultz of the school district, in her report to the board on child care spaces, said this new program "may be an opportunity to create other child care partnership opportunities, including day care options for student parents and employees."

Lynn Burgat, director of Kelowna Child Care, expressed some concerns about the shortage of child care providers. In infant and toddler programs a ratio of one adult for every four youngsters is required.

Burgat added that employees have asked about possible child care spaces, as well as the public.

Superintendent Mike Roberts said there is currently a substantial shortage of both infant and toddler day care space in the Central Okanagan.

"This shortage of appropriate child care is limiting both teen parents' opportunities to attend school and our employees opportunities to return to work after maternity leaves," said Roberts.

He noted earlier attempts to expand child care programs were thwarted by lack of funding, and this grant money is "an opportunity worth considering."

Operating costs would likely include payments from participating parents, ongoing subsidization from the school district or some other outside funding.