Childcare on School Grounds
Expression of Interest
School District 70 Pacific Rim is seeking expressions of interest from organizations who may be interested in operating licensed childcare programs at one, two or all three of the proposed school sites:
· School Age Care on School Grounds at Howitt Elementary, Port Alberni- 24 spaces
· School Age Care on School Grounds at The Children’s Grove, Ucluelet- 24 spaces
· Group Childcare- under 3 years old, 2.5 years old to school age, and school age care on school grounds- Wickaninnish Community School, Tofino- 72 spaces.
SD70 Pacific Rim is looking to partner with a non-profit organization. Please click on the below link for more details and the Expression of Interest Response Form.
Responses should be emailed to Katherin Charbonneau, Director of Early Learning and Childcare at kcharbonneau@sd70.bc.ca no later than 4:00 pm Pacific Time on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Childcare provided by School District 70 and School District 70 Staff
Preschool (30 months to School Age
Tsuma-as Just B4
Tsuma-as Just B4 is a licensed, early childhood program, offering high quality early learning experiences. Tsuma-as Just B4 is specifically designed for 4-year-old children with the hope of inspiring and supporting the creation of rich, joyful early childhood experiences. Our goal is to provide opportunities to strengthen early years to kindergarten transitions for young children and their families.
At Tsuma-as Just B4, we believe that young children are active, curious learners. We value creating spaces for children where they can explore, discover, wonder, ask questions, seek answers, experiment, get messy, take risks, problem solve along with their peers, families, and educators. We respect all children and value their culture and family background they bring to the program.
We provide many play-based opportunities that fosters the ideas and experiences of the children enrolled. Our Educator works hand in hand with the children to answer their questions, to seek out knowledge, understand and to encourage their sense of wonder and curiosity.
We operate Monday-Thursday 12:15-2:15 Fee Based.
Katherin Charbonneau, Manager
Jennifer Penner, Early Care and Learning Professional
Location: Tsuma-as Elementary- 5055 Compton Road, Port Alberni
phone: 250-918-8444
email: kcharbonneau@sd70.bc.ca
School Age Care (5 to 12 years old)
Howitt School Age Care
Howitt School Age Care is a Pacific Rim Children and Families SD70 licensed School Age Care program that operates at John Howitt Elementary School in Room 8. It is facilitated by SD70 CUPE Education Assistants.
The program is guided by curriculum and pedagogy that recognizes the benefits of play-based learning. The following frameworks: “The Early Learning Framework”, and “The First Peoples Principles of Learning”, are used to guide practice.
The program goal is to provide opportunities where children can strengthen their self-esteem, independence, responsibility, leadership, friendship, and respect for others. As well as strengthen the connection between school and care for our young children and their families. .
The program operates Monday-Friday from 7:00-8:20 and 2:20-4:45, from September to June. Howitt SAC will operate full days on non-Instructional days, one week at Winter and Spring break from 8:00-4:00.
Katherin Charbonneau, Manager
Location: Howitt Elementary School- 3867 Marpole St, Port Alberni
phone: 250-720-2763
email: kcharbonneau@sd70.bc.ca
The Children’s Grove School Age Care
The Children’s Grove School Age Care is a Pacific Rim Children and Families SD70 licensed School Age Care program that operates at the Children’s Grove in Ucluelet StrongStart room. It is facilitated by SD70 CUPE Education Assistants.
The program is guided by curriculum and pedagogy that recognizes the benefits of play-based learning. The following frameworks: “The Early Learning Framework”, and “The First Peoples Principles of Learning”, are used to guide practice.
The program goal is to provide opportunities where children can strengthen their self-esteem, independence, responsibility, leadership, friendship, and respect for others. As well as strengthen the connection between school and care for our young children and their families. .
The program operates Monday-Thursday from 7:05 am-8:25am & 2:35-5:00 and Friday from 7:05 am- 8:25 am & 1:58-4:28, from September to June. The Children’s Grove SAC will operate full days on non-Instructional days, one week at Winter and Spring break from 8:00-4:00
Carrie Nahorney, Manager
Location: The Children’s Grove- 1450 Peninsula Road, Ucluelet
phone: 250-720-2763
email: kcharbonneau@sd70.bc.ca
Childcare provided by Non-profit Providers on School Grounds
Infant and Toddler Care (Under 36 Months)
Mighty Learners Child Care Infant Toddler Program
Mighty Learners is an inclusive, family-focused early years centre offering group Infant Toddler Care. They offer play-based learning, through nature focused experiences and explorations. They believe that children learn and develop best when they are given the opportunity to follow their interests and freely explore their environment through play.
They strive to ensure their programming feels welcoming to all children and their families. They value open communication, transparency, and family involvement. Their programming grows and changes to meet the diverse needs of the families they serve.
Mighty Learners Infant & Toddler program operates 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday and operates 12 months of the year Fee Based.
Contact: Jessica Thompson and Margaret Lamb (email)
250-736-1051
Location: Tsuma-as Elementary School, 5055 Compton Rd, Port Alberni (map).
Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age)
Mighty Learners Child Care 3-5 Year Old Program
Mighty Learners is an inclusive, family-focused early years centre offering group child care 30 month to school age care. They offer play-based learning, through nature focused experiences and explorations. They believe that children learn and develop best when they are given the opportunity to follow their interests and freely explore their environment through play.
They strive to ensure their programming feels welcoming to all children and their families. They value open communication, transparency, and family involvement. Their programming grows and changes to meet the diverse needs of the families they serve.
Mighty Learners 3-5 year old program operates 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. *They offer limited early drop-off spaces between 6:30 - 7:00am. The 3–5-year-old program operates Monday to Friday and operates 12 months of the year. Fee Based.
Contact: Jessica Thompson and Margaret Lamb (email)
Location: Tsuma-as Elementary School, 5055 Compton Rd, Port Alberni (map).
School Age Care (5 to 12 years old)
Alberni Valley Saplings
Saplings School Aged Care provides licensed before and after school care for children 5 to 12 years of age at EJ Dunn Elementary and John Howitt Elementary.
They are an inclusive, nature-based facility that strives to foster children’s connections - to family, community, and the natural world.
Their philosophy is grounded in providing play-based, nature-inspired experiences. Their educators uphold the value that learning is collaborative. They see children as the drivers of their own knowledge, and as educators they listen, ask questions, document, and provide the space and materials to fuel their natural desire to learn.
They focus on creating the time and space for children to pursue their interests, engage in playful experiences, and get outside. While always providing an open invitation to rest and recharge after a busy day at school.
They provide year round care, Monday to Friday - including professional days and summer months. They operate from 6:00am - 9:00am & 2:30pm - 6:00pm. Full days provided in July and August.
EJ Dunn Elementary
Location: The Family Hub at EJ Dunn Elementary School, 3500 Argyle Street, Port Alberni (map)
Contact: Sharon Hobbs- 250 - 206 - 7794
Fern Valley School Age Care
Fern Valley provides licensed before and after school care for children 5 to 12 years of age that attend Maquinna Elementary. The program is child-centred and play-based, designed as a “living” framework that adjusts to the group’s dynamics, needs and interests. Emergent activities will be laced around the concept of developing and growing their grassroots to themselves, their community, and their natural environment. Inclusion and independence will be balanced as social and emotional intelligence is taught through gentle guidance and teachable moments.
Fern Valley School Age Care operates Monday to Friday including professional days and summer months. They operate from 6:30 am-9:00 am- 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Contact: Lisa McFarlane- 250.720.3102.
Location: Maquinna Elementary- 3881 Bruce St, Port Alberni (map)
Mighty Learners Child Care- School Age Care
Mighty Learners is an inclusive, family-focused early years centre offering school age care. They offer play-based learning, through nature focused experiences and explorations. They believe that children learn and develop best when they are given the opportunity to follow their interests and freely explore their environment through play.
They strive to ensure their programming feels welcoming to all children and their families. They value open communication, transparency, and family involvement. Their programming grows and changes to meet the diverse needs of the families they serve.
Mighty Learners School Age Care operates 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. *They offer limited early drop-off spaces between 6:30 - 7:00am. The School Age Care program operates Monday to Friday and operates 12 months of the year. Fee Based.
Contact: Jessica Thompson and Margaret Lamb (email)
Location: Tsuma-as Elementary School, 5055 Compton Rd, Port Alberni (map).