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Lil'wat Nation to receive $350,000 for child care

By Paige Harley The Lil'wat Nation will receive just over $350,000 in funding from the B.C. Government towards the creation of 50 child care spaces at their Pqusnalhcw Child Care Centre.

By Paige Harley

The Lil'wat Nation will receive just over $350,000 in funding from the B.C. Government towards the creation of 50 child care spaces at their Pqusnalhcw Child Care Centre.

The financing, part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development's Child Care Capital Funding Program, will help with the construction of an addition to the current facility, equipment, furnishings and fees associated with the development. Upon completion, the centre will house10 spaces for tots three years of age and under, 20 for out of school children and 20 will be dedicated to children older than 30 months.

“This funding will help many Lil'wat Nation parents and families increase their access to quality child care spaces and services for their children," said MLA Joan McIntyre. "Many parents tell me they would like to see more child care spaces available and this is especially true in smaller communities, such as Mount Currie, where demand often outstrips supply. By investing into child care, we are creating more day care spaces to help working parents and families in addition to providing our children with a stimulating and safe learning environment."

The funding will be paid to the Lil’wat Nation in two instalments. The first, for $140,000, will be sent immediately. The second, for $210,000, will be included in the 2006-07 fiscal year.

The province's Child Care Capital Funding Program assists communities create new licensed centre-based child care spaces for children under the age of six. Under the program, applicants may receive funding for purchase of equipment, buildings, renovating or expanding the capacity of existing child care facilities to create new child care spaces.