By Times Chronicle Staff
Osoyoos Council has approved funding to undertake a childcare needs assessment in an effort to gain a better understanding of the needs of the community in order to take advantage of funding sources.
The demand for licensed childcare spaces in BC far exceeds the current supply and Osoyoos is one of many communities that does not meet the demand for childcare spaces.
It is hoped that through this assessment of needs and the development of an action plan, the community will be in a better position to take advantage of future childcare funding from the province and the federal government as well as a plan to address the shortage of available spaces.
Cornerstone Planning Group has been hired to produce a childcare needs assessment that demonstrates the ability to create inclusive, flexible, and accessible care that is culturally based, and that provides quality education and learning opportunities for all children.
The Childcare Plan will provide detailed descriptions and concrete examples of the services and programs that need to be provided in Osoyoos.
“What is critical to this study is community input,” the town says.
“A survey has been crafted to collect such feedback, ensuring that it accurately incorporates local perspectives and thereby enhancing the alignment of the Osoyoos Childcare Plan with the community’s needs and ideas.”
Osoyoos residents can find and complete the survey here.
