Accessible and affordable child care is a priority for parents in Terrace, which is why the City of Terrace offers several programs for children of school age and younger.
Kids can be immersed in after school programs such as Kids in the Kitchen, Minute to Win It, Crafty Kids and Science Fun. There are all also summer camps and camps for non-school days such as Spring Break or non-instructional days.
In a council meeting on July 22, the City of Terrace shared that their before-and-after-school program is seeing an increase in enrolment.
From its soft launch in October 2023 with six children registered, to officially opening in the renovated Terrace Sportsplex complex, word has spread around the community. Today, 14 children are in the program and 12 children are on a waiting list to join. The program, made in consultation with an early childhood education specialist and a design consultant, has spots for 30 children.
"The group is primarily of kids in Kindergarten to Grade 3, with some older kids," said Sarah Artis, communications advisor for the City of Terrace.
It is held in the multipurpose room of the Sportsplex, found on the second floor.
The 1,480 square-foot space includes a food (eating and cooking) area, play space for active, dramatic, quiet, and construction play, science exploration, music, art and a quiet zone. There is also a storage area for children’s belongings and equipment storage, and accessible bathrooms.
There are also nearby facilities including ice rinks, aquatic centre, library, skate park, pump track, trails and playgrounds.
"The inclusion of all these interest areas provide a functional and stimulating environment that allows all children to engage in meaningful ways," said Linda Stevens, social development program coordinator for the City of Terrace, in a news release last year.
For registration, priority is given to families who need full-time care for their children. They accommodate part-time schedules until a space is needed for a full-time applicant. In such a case, parents will be given two weeks' notice to find alternate care or take a full-time space.
The program includes transportation for children to and from school.
"One of the challenges we may face with an increase in enrolment is transportation, depending on where the children are being picked up. We will figure out a solution should this become an issue," said Artis.
The City received $390,000 to fund this program through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, which is supported by the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
