Garibaldi Highlands Elementary breaks ground for new preschool

A Squamish elementary school broke ground for a new preschool and out-of-school care building on June 11th with the Minister of State for Child Care.

Minister Katrina Chen was visiting the community to meet with child care providers and hear of the challenges in the region, and how the government can support local facilities. Chen says she has heard how the population has increased and that with young families moving to the community there is a need for more spaces.

The Garibaldi Highlands Elementary (GHE) school project is the first to break ground in the province following the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s announcement in December 2017 of a $33 million investment in child care major capital funding to create 3,806 new licensed child care spaces throughout British Columbia.

The Sea to Sky Community Services Society received $366,849 to create a facility for 44 new spaces for preschool and out-of-school care on GHE school grounds, where children we will be able to transition from early years programs, to the classroom, to after-school care.

Executive Director of the Sea to Sky Community Services Society, Jaye Russell, says “It will help us bring much needed program services back to Garibaldi Highlands in a brand new building”. The Society worked alongside the Province and School District 48 to bring the project to fruition.

You can learn more about the ChildCare BC Plan, and provide your feedback on the Province’s website.