SD72 Childcare Program Expands With Continued High Demand

School District 72’s childcare program continues to grow, with strong community uptake, full staffing, and construction of new sites underway.

That’s according to an update from Associate Superintendent Philip Cizmic at the board’s latest meeting.

The district has now completed construction for all seven of the original childcare sites, which are fully operational, and the province is in the final reconciliation stage, reviewing financial documentation. Notably, Cizmic said the project came in approximately $400,000 under budget.

The district has requested to use the funds toward its second phase of childcare expansion.

Phase two includes four additional sites, which have been approved by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and are currently in early design with architects.

Construction on two of them may begin as early as this summer.

The new centres will focus on before- and after-school care and programming for children aged three to five, which the board says is an area of growing demand in the community, particularly among healthcare workers.

Now in its second year of operation, the district’s childcare program has exceeded expectations with afternoon programs particularly popular; six sites are operating at 90% capacity and multi-year waitlists are in place at several locations.

Summer childcare is also being provided this year, with 61 children registered across three sites.

As with last year, extended care hours are available to support healthcare professionals working 12-hour shifts.

Programming over the summer includes a strong focus on outdoor activities, with flexible plans to ensure children stay cool and safe during hot weather.

For highlights from the June 17, 2025 public meeting of the CRSD72 Board of Education, visit School District - SD72.