Parksville Child Care Provider Faces Space Limitations Amid Demand

The Parksville Child and Family Centre is grappling with a significant challenge: limited space for its highly sought-after $10-a-day child care program. The centre, operated by BGC Central Vancouver Island, currently has a waitlist for its services, highlighting a growing demand for affordable child care in the region.

At a recent council meeting on January 19, 2024, executives from BGC provided insights into the centre’s operations. According to Corey Sugiyama, executive director, and Ali Legge, director of operations and human resources, the centre has expanded its offerings by adding 20 part-time preschool spaces to its existing 91 full-time spots.

Legge stated, “We would all love more space. It is the biggest challenge in the child care industry at this time.” The organization has expressed that if it were able to access additional licensed space, it could increase the number of infant and toddler programs as well as expand offerings for children aged three to five. Currently, the centre provides 12 infant and toddler spaces, 25 spaces for three to five-year-olds, 54 out-of-school care spaces, and 20 half-day preschool program spaces.

Despite its efforts, the centre faces challenges with the uptake of its preschool programs. “The feedback from the community is that half-day preschool — although we are a five-day-a-week half-day preschool — is not something the community needs at this time,” Legge noted. She acknowledged that slower enrollment in preschool programs is not uncommon, citing that other BGC locations have experienced similar delays in program initiation.

On a positive note, Legge confirmed that the organization is fully staffed, with only occasional vacancies. Some staff members have had to relocate due to the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing on Vancouver Island.

The Parksville Child and Family Centre is not just focused on child care; it also hosts early years programming, summer camps, and youth initiatives aimed at addressing mental health and fostering healthy relationships. The centre places a strong emphasis on youth leadership and job readiness. It also organizes family fun nights and community events, and it rents its facilities to various organizations, including the Regional District of Nanaimo 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 added, highlighting the importance of their facilities for community engagement.

The $10-a-day child care initiative was unveiled in March 2025, when the provincial government announced funding for an additional 770 spaces across 22 child care centres in British Columbia. This initiative significantly reduces the average monthly cost of full-time, centre-based child care for children aged five and under from approximately $1,115 to just $200.

To manage the demand, BGC has implemented an online waitlist system, enabling staff to maintain contact with those awaiting services and provide timely updates. BGC operates 635 individual club locations across Canada, with 15 situated on Vancouver Island, spanning from Ladysmith to the Comox Valley.

The ongoing need for affordable child care and the associated space constraints at the Parksville Child and Family Centre exemplify the broader challenges faced by many child care providers in the region. As demand continues to rise, the organization remains focused on meeting the needs of families while navigating the limitations of its current facilities.