Parksville Childcare Provider Faces Space Challenges Amid Growing Demand

The Parksville Child and Family Centre is grappling with a significant challenge: space. The centre, which offers a $10-a-day child care program, currently has a wait list, highlighting the growing demand for affordable child care in the region. According to a recent presentation to the city council by Corey Sugiyama, executive director, and Ali Legge, director of operations and human resources at BGC Central Vancouver Island, the facility expanded its offerings in September by adding 20 part-time preschool spaces to the existing 91 full-time spots.

Legge noted during the January 19 meeting, “We would all love more space. It is the biggest challenge in the childcare industry at this time.” She emphasized that if the centre could access additional space that could be licensed, it would be able to run more infant and toddler programs and potentially expand its offerings for children aged three to five.

Currently, the Parksville Child and Family Centre provides a range of services, including 12 infant and toddler spaces, 25 spaces for children aged three to five, 54 out-of-school care spots, and 20 half-day preschool program spaces. “Where we’re struggling is with our preschool programs,” Legge explained. She mentioned that community feedback indicates a preference for alternative preschool arrangements rather than the current half-day format, despite being operational five days a week.

Slow uptake for preschool programs is not uncommon, according to Legge, who indicated that other BGC locations have experienced similar delays in launching preschool initiatives. On a positive note, Legge confirmed that the organization is fully staffed, with only occasional vacancies arising due to staff relocating from the Island because of the escalating cost of living and limited affordable housing options.

Community Programs and Support

The Parksville Child and Family Centre is not just a child care provider; it plays a vital role in the community by hosting early years programming, summer camps, and youth initiatives that promote mental health, healthy relationships, leadership skills, and job readiness. Sugiyama highlighted that the centre also organizes family fun nights, community events, and facility rentals for various local organizations, including the Regional District of Nanaimo, Qualicum School District, and Oceanside Volleyball Club.

“The Jensen Centre has really given us an opportunity to bring events to BGC in a very professional way. We are very lucky to have this space,” Legge remarked, underscoring the importance of the facility in supporting community engagement and activities.

The $10-a-day child care program was introduced in March 2025, when the provincial government allocated funding for 770 new spaces across 22 child care centres in British Columbia. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the average monthly cost of child care for children aged five and under, bringing it down from approximately $1,115 for full-time, centre-based care to just $200.

To manage the demand for child care spaces, BGC has implemented an online wait list system. This allows staff to maintain communication with families waiting for openings, keeping them informed on available services and updates.

With 635 individual club locations across Canada, BGC operates 15 centres on the central Island, from Ladysmith to the Comox Valley. The organization remains committed to addressing the pressing needs of families in the community, while navigating the ongoing challenges of space and resources in the child care sector.