Daycare feels optimistic
The Times
Mike Chouinard
December 24, 2008

The possibility the province could bring in all-day kindergarten and add four- and even three-year-olds to the program could affect private childcare providers.

At least one operator is not discouraged though, as … Childcare Centre is planning to open a new site at the old Teen Learning Centre, or TLC daycare, space near Chilliwack secondary. TLC was a child care program that had been supported by Chilliwack Community Services until funding issues forced its closure a few years ago…

"Even with all-day kindergarten, there'll still be before- and after-school care for kindergartners," she says.

… During recent discussions about all-day kindergarten, some stakeholders said they expect teachers to fill the positions, but … thinks it is important that people running the programs are ECE-trained rather than simply in education, especially when it comes to younger students. She is concerned if the province decides to expand the program to include four- and even three-year-olds it could have an effect on private childcare providers. She also has questions about whether there is space for all-day kindergarten in the district and whether the curriculum will be play-based, something she and most observers say is crucial for kindergarten….