Where are the current and future childcare needs for Delta?
That’s what council will soon learn as a childcare needs assessment will be presented this spring.
A report is currently being prepared with the assistance of a consultant and a draft is under review by staff, according to the planning department.
A memo to council notes preliminary data from the assessment indicates that Ladner has the greatest need for childcare in Delta, especially for infant/toddler and before/after school care ages.
“After the final Delta Childcare Needs Assessment is completed this spring, we will know the childcare priorities moving forward. In the interim, we continue to work with Delta childcare organizations to identify and take advantage of provincial funding that is available for creating new childcare spaces and renovating existing facilities,” city manager Sean McGill noted in the memo.
A new report on housing to Delta council notes that there is an increasing number of residents aged 19 and younger as well as those aged 30 to 49 years moving to Delta.
“This may reflect the influx of young families moving into the community, a trend that could help offset the impact of an aging population. The trend may also flag for municipal staff and local service providers the need for services such as daycare facilities and recreational sports and leisure programs in the community,” the report states.
Earlier this year, the provincial government announced funding for two new childcare centres in Ladner and Tsawwassen.
The Little Koala Montessori Academy in Ladner will provide 12 new infant/toddler spaces and 48 pre-school spaces, while there will be an additional before and after-school childcare spaces at the Tsawwassen First Nation.
