Dreaming for reflective and collaborative growth
Marpole's Neighbourhood House opened their first Child Care facility
It is a time of celebration for the neighbours and team of Marpole Neighbourhood House (MNH) - their first child care centre opened on April 2. Marpole Neighbourhood House Child Care and Early Years Learning Centre is a 69-space child care facility located on the rooftop of the newly rebuilt David Lloyd George Elementary school. The centre accommodates infants, toddlers, and children aged 3-to-5 years old. This project is the result of a partnership between the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia, and it is a nurturing space for the little ones in the vibrant Marpole community.
“Families in Vancouver are busy enough without spending more time driving. Including child care as part of the school build means one less thing for busy parents to worry about. These new child care spaces give kids a great opportunity to learn and grow and helps create a community where families can thrive.”
Mitzi Dean, Minister of State for Child Care
The centre fosters emergent, reflective and collaborative growth, tailoring learning journeys for the youngest community members (infants (0-18 months), toddlers (18 months - 3 years), 3-5 years old, after school care). With a total of 89 part-time and full-time spaces, the inspiring facility is a significant milestone for the neighbourhood. It means providing more local families with a trusted and inclusive place for their children to learn and thrive. This new centre demonstrates our ongoing commitment to community growth and well-being, reinforcing MNH's role as a supportive and integral part of the Marpole community.
"The opening of this new centre symbolizes a significant step forward for Marpole Neighbourhood House," shared Nilda Borrino, MNH's Executive Director, "Marking a period of growth and enhanced community engagement. It reflects our commitment to evolving and expanding our services to better meet the needs of our diverse community."
This child care centre is a much-needed addition to the South Vancouver area which, despite having one fifth of Vancouver’s child and youth population, is underserved in resources for children, families and seniors. In June 2023, Vancouver City Council approved a motion to work with the Neighbourhood Advisory Committees on the ‘Reframing South Vancouver’ initiative to inform neighbourhood improvements, policy and funding allocation decisions for the area.
“Marpole Neighbourhood House Child Care has been a wonderful place for our daughter. We are so happy that we found a daycare within our community with loving and knowledgeable educators, that provide a variety of creative activities including neighborhood walks and active,outdoor play.” Windy Lui, parent (daughter attends toddler program)
With the centre's inclusive and collaborative approach, MNH is fostering stronger connections, promoting open conversations, and creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all families. This expansion represents the dedication to enriching the lives of community members and strengthening the bonds within Marpole.
To learn more and get involved about Marpole's Child Care, follow along at: Facebook and Instagram.
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