Sicamous will be getting its first ever licensed child care centre thanks in part to a $30,000 grant from the province under the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund

Krystal’s Creative Kidz will have seven spaces for parents looking for childcare options in Sicamous, instead of nearby communities like Salmon Arm.

Owner Krystal Johnson says she’s using the money to renovate her house.

“We’ve created a playroom within our home that is set up for our circle times, our craft times and our play times,” she said. “We also have added to our outdoor space and have added a ramp to make our daycare accessible to everybody. [We’ve also] extended our playground with some more peat rock and made it much larger.”

Johnson is waiting for her final licenses to be approved, and hopes to open next month, noting that in the seven years she’s lived in Sicamous, there’s been no access to childcare spaces in the community.

“So many families struggled to find care and they mainly rely on family and friends,” She added. “Having licence family childcare within our community is going to help a lot of families have access to that care, and also help the children to have a set routine.”

As for the cost to parents?

“Approximately between $55 and $65 a day, but this rate is also before applying for the childcare reduction program which is my next priority to apply for,” Johnson said. “Once we are in the childcare reduction programs, parents rates will be lowered immediately.”

Johnson will work with young parents in need to keep their child care costs down, by providing things like healthy snacks, sunscreen, and additional clothing for children.

She hasn’t even opened her doors yet, but says she has already got parents inquiring about enrolling their children into one of the seven spaces.