New licensed child care spaces for Penticton

PENTICTON – The provincial government is investing $224,487 under the B.C. Early Years Strategy to create 24 new licensed child care spaces in Penticton and area.

The funding will allow the Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society to provide eight spaces for infants and toddlers and 16 spaces for pre-schoolers at KinderBear Developmental Daycare.

The Society offers specialization in supporting children with development needs and has the expertise to provide care and programming to maximize developmental growth. The organization incorporates early therapies and also works in partnership with family support programs, developmental psychology and service groups to meet the needs of parents and caregivers requiring extra supports.

“The addition of KinderBear Developmental Daycare will allow our society to complement the work of community partners and existing child-care facilities with a focus on supporting children facing developmental challenges,” executive director Manisha Willms said. “Our clinical and early-childhood teams are very excited to be part of adding much-needed spaces for the children and families of the South Okanagan.”

The funding will go toward renovations at the society's Child Development Centre facility at 103 – 550 Carmi Ave.