Lakers Club childcare facility. (photo courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

$10/Day Childcare Expansion

More affordable child care spaces coming to Vernon

Mar 24, 2025 | 1:21 PM

Families in Vernon will have more opportunities to access affordable child care services.

The B.C. Government is converting 770 spaces across the province to the $10-a-day ChildCare B.C. program with an investment of over $62-million.

Included in the investment is absorbing 36 spaces at the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club – Lakers Club in Vernon into the affordable model.

“As a mother, I know how integral accessible and affordable childcare is for a family to be able to thrive,” Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby, said.

“Thanks to these new spaces, dozens of families will be able to focus on work or school if they wish and breathe easier knowing their kids are being nurtured in a safe and fun environment. Since 2017, parents in our communities have saved more than $20 million in childcare costs. This will help parents to save more money by accessing quality, affordable childcare spaces.”

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The province also committed to converting eight spaces run by Peachland Childcare, 112 spaces overseen by Onesky Community Resources Society in Penticton, and 20 spaces operated by the North and South Shuswap Community Resource Association, to the program.

“As we face economic threats and British Columbians struggle with rising costs, we are continuing to make critical investments in child care,” Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care, said.

“By increasing access to child care and saving families thousands of dollars per year, we’re helping hard-working British Columbians and securing a stronger future for our province today.”

The provincial government also committed to supporting the creation of new childcare spaces across B.C., though none of those investments were in the Okanagan.