Elkford is set to get 24-hour child care facility in coming months, with Alpine Childcare Solutions on track to open a much-needed childcare service in the Elk Valley town in Fall.
“I created a care plan based on all the things that I didn’t have for childcare in the valley,” said future owner-operator of the new business, Stacey Chislett, who said she herself had to give up work at Teck because it was impossible to juggle childcare with shift work..
“This childcare facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We’ll be doing overnight care, and we’ll be taking care of all the needs that families are faced with here in the valley working at Teck and in shift work.”
Chislett said the business would offer a handful of different programs, with one being ideal for shift workers with a 4-on 4-off schedule. In that program, there will be 32 childcare spaces available.
The business will also offer extended hours care for before and after school, where parents can drop their kids off as early as 4am and pick them up as late as 9pm. Another 7-15 spaces would be available in that program.
Services will be wide-ranging, with healthy meals provided, and travel to and from school as needed.
Work is continuing on acquiring land and getting the centre ready, but it will be within walking distance of the elementary school in Elkford.
The loan to support the is through Community Futures East Kootenay, and Chislett said community support had been fantastic.
“I am over the moon excited. The more I think of the services we’ll be providing, and the stress we’ll be eliminating for families, the more excited I am.”
Chislett said Alpine Community Solutions is hoping to open doors in Elkford in September or October this year.
READ MORE: B.C. inches towards universal child care, pledges to support Indigenous-led initiatives
scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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