By Mandy Moraes, NLPS Staff
With new provincial legislation expected soon and several expansion projects underway, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is preparing for another year of increased access to school-based childcare.
“We currently operate 288 licensed before- and after-school childcare spaces,” said Katherine Keenan, the district’s childcare manager. “Of those, 256 are filled. So, the demand is very real.”
Keenan and her team manage daily operations, staffing, budgeting, and program quality at nine elementary schools.
This year, the district expanded from five programs at four schools to 12 programs at nine schools.
A similar expansion is planned for 2026 and staff are now working with each school community to learn about local needs and available space.
Bill 19, introduced by the provincial government in October, could bring a significant change that broadens what childcare school districts can offer on school grounds.
“The new bill is exciting,” Keenan said. “It means we could run programs during winter break, spring break, and summer.”
Before-school care usually starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs until the bell. After-school care goes until about 5:30 p.m. At larger sites, different age groups have their own rooms so activities fit their needs.
All NLPS childcare programs are on school grounds and are mainly staffed by Educational Assistants who work during the school day as well, which helps provide consistency for children.
“The kids come in with relationships already built with staff,” McGonigle said. “Their needs are understood, they’re comfortable, and there’s one less hand-off for families.”
NLPS does not run its own infant or toddler care, but the district still supports communities through New Spaces Funding.
This funding lets third-party providers like Inquiring Little Minds and Playtime Childcare Society offer early learning programs in district-built spaces at several elementary schools.
One possible future project with New Spaces Funding is a 24-hour infant-toddler centre near Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
NLPS has already received letters of support from Island Health and NRGH as the centre would help hospital shift workers.
Each new program, partnership, and facility helps NLPS move closer to its goal of removing barriers for families and making sure every child can access safe, high-quality care in their own school community.
Information on which schools offer which programs can be found at sd68.bc.ca/childcare-spaces/.