Smithers Child Care Plan
The Town of Smithers recognizes that access to quality child care is an essential service and critical piece of social infrastructure. It benefits families, local economy, contributes to a healthy community and overall resident quality of life. The Smithers Child Care Plan, completed in 2021, is a guiding document for the Town of Smithers to use to fulfill its role in addressing child care gaps and support new space creation.
Taking Action
With child care spaces critically limited in Smithers, the Town has taken proactive steps to implement the Child Care Plan’s 13 action items with funding from Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Complete Communities Fund Program. This was a collaborative process involving community partners, local organizations, schools, Early Childhood Educators, Town staff, Smithers Council, and the broader community. This 14-month project concluded in January 2024.
- Child Care Plan Implementation Project: Update Report (June 2023)
- Child Care Plan Implementation Project: Final Report (January 2024)
Child Care at Ranger Park
Following completion of the Smithers Child Care Plan Implementation Project, the Town of Smithers conducted community engagement to explore applying for 100% capital funding through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund Program to build a new child care facility in a portion of Ranger Park.
At the February 27th, 2024, Regular Meeting, Smithers Council received the Staff Report and engagement summary, and approved designating a portion of Ranger Park for the construction of a new child care facility through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund Program. In May 2024, Council selected the YMCA as the facility operator following a Request for Expression of Interest process.
The Town’s application to the 2024-intake of the New Spaces Fund Program was not successful. The Town is considering reapplying to the New Spaces Fund Program once the 2025-intake is open.
Child Care Resources