Childcare Council of the Central Okanagan

The Childcare Council of the Central Okanagan is a collaborative group representing various organizations across the Central Okanagan communities (Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country and Peachland). The focus of the group is to discuss, plan and implement innovative ideas to enhance the childcare sector of Central Okanagan municipalities.

Email Nicole Hoodicoff at Nicoleh@childhoodconnections.ca to join the council and get involved with finding childcare solutions!

What We’re Doing

Childcare Needs Assessment

Earlier this year, 2020, the council was excited to support the four Central Okanagan municipalities with their successful Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) grant application to receive funding for a childcare needs assessment that delivered an Action Plan to the municipalities upon completion of the research study in March 2020.

The Childcare needs Assessment resulted in the Care for Our Kids project and the Community Child Care Planning report and action plan. Read about it here.

See below documents for more information

Child Care Advocacy Presentation Nov 2021

Community Child Care Planning Report 2020

Child Care Needs Assessment 2018 – Full Report

Child Care Needs Assessment 2018 – Report Summary

Child Care Needs Assessment 2018 – Parent Responses

Recruitment & Retention for the Early Care and Learning Sector

This past year, 2020, a main focus of the Council was on networking and management training opportunities. The council provided numerous workshops and events to connect childcare managers and employees to resources to better support the childcare sector crisis. There was a specific focus on their struggle to staff newly created spaces and brainstorm solutions. Part of the Council’s work focused on advocating for increased wages to Early Childhood Educators (ECEs).

Child Care promotional posters

Early Childhood Educators Matter

The Best Investment: Early Childhood Education

Child Care Matters for Municipalities

Council Members 2023/2024:

Danielle Miranda
YMCA Okanagan
Lianna Michaylow
BGC  Okanagan
Terri Russell
ECE Okanagan College
TBD
City of West Kelowna
Mieke Krus
Starbright
Caroline Noga
The Clubhouse
Jennifer Robins
Parent
Nicole Hoodicoff
Child Care Resource & Referral
Betty Cleland
ECE Instructor
Tom Clark
City of Kelowna
Naomi Woodland
United Way BC
Robert Southam
For the Kids Daycare
Indy Dhial
The Gathering Place
Andrea Strang
School District 23
Melissa Hunt
City of West Kelowna
Amanda Worms
Eloywn
Carla Hees
Sprott Shaw
Shauna Stewart
Interior Health Licensing
Justine D’Amico
New Beginnings