New child care spaces have recently opened in South Surrey, with more planned to open in the city soon.
“As the fastest-growing community in Metro Vancouver, Surrey faces a significant need for more childcare spaces to support parents in our city. I am grateful for the funding from the province to help realize this initiative that will have such a positive impact for families in Surrey,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in a news release on Thursday (Nov. 16).
Seventy new spaces are being offered through Alexandra Neighbourhood House.
Its Children’s Centre at Kensington Prairie Community Centre offers 50 spaces for infants to children age five. The remaining 20 spaces are offered for kids age three to five at Alex House Elgin Children’s Centre.
More spaces will be added in the Whalley and Guildford areas of Surrey, at Bridgeview Community Centre and the O’Siem Village at Hawthorne Park, for a total of 102 spots.
“People in Whalley need spaces for their little ones to learn, play, and grow,” Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley said.
“These new spaces will provide culturally informed, safe places for children in the community to thrive.”
Surrey-Guildford MLA Garry Begg echoed the sentiment, saying he is excited for the new spaces to come to the neighbourhood.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the difference it will make for families to have more spaces close to home.”
Providing funding for a total of 325 spaces to come in all of Surrey, is the province’s ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, which totals $18.2 million.
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