t̓aatn̓aʔałuk – Taking Care of Children Childcare Facility

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In May 2025, District staff submitted an expression of interest to Pacific Rim School District 70 to transition operations of the Community Children Centre (CCC) to the t̓aatn̓aʔałuk – Taking Care of Children Centre located on the Wickaninnish Community School grounds.

District staff presented the proposed operational changes for the Community Children's Centre at the September 16, 2025, regular Council meeting (details below). The proposed changes include transitioning all childcare operations from the District's current location at 265 First Street to the new facility and expanding licensed care.

Service Delivery

Staff are planning for an increase in child care services under this operating agreement and are considering a three-phased approach to the operation of the t̓aatn̓aʔałuk – Taking Care of Children Centre.

Phase

Care Service Type

# of Licensed Spaces

Date

Phase 1

Expansion of Licensed Group Child Care – 30 months to school age (5 years)

32

Fall 2025/Winter 2026

Phase 2

Addition of After School & Non-Instructional Day Licensed School Age Care on School Grounds (K – Grade School)

44

2026

Phase 3

Addition of Before School Licensed School Age Care on School Grounds (K – Grade School)

44

2026


Proposed operations will result in 14 new spaces for ages 30 months to school age from the CCC's current operations of 18, and 44 new spaces for before and after school care previously not offered due to facility size limitations. Current staffing levels will support group child care (30 months to 5 years) and allow us to offer space to families currently on our waitlist.

In May 2025, District staff submitted an expression of interest to Pacific Rim School District 70 to transition operations of the Community Children Centre (CCC) to the t̓aatn̓aʔałuk – Taking Care of Children Centre located on the Wickaninnish Community School grounds.

District staff presented the proposed operational changes for the Community Children's Centre at the September 16, 2025, regular Council meeting (details below). The proposed changes include transitioning all childcare operations from the District's current location at 265 First Street to the new facility and expanding licensed care.

Service Delivery

Staff are planning for an increase in child care services under this operating agreement and are considering a three-phased approach to the operation of the t̓aatn̓aʔałuk – Taking Care of Children Centre.

Phase

Care Service Type

# of Licensed Spaces

Date

Phase 1

Expansion of Licensed Group Child Care – 30 months to school age (5 years)

32

Fall 2025/Winter 2026

Phase 2

Addition of After School & Non-Instructional Day Licensed School Age Care on School Grounds (K – Grade School)

44

2026

Phase 3

Addition of Before School Licensed School Age Care on School Grounds (K – Grade School)

44

2026


Proposed operations will result in 14 new spaces for ages 30 months to school age from the CCC's current operations of 18, and 44 new spaces for before and after school care previously not offered due to facility size limitations. Current staffing levels will support group child care (30 months to 5 years) and allow us to offer space to families currently on our waitlist.

  • Report to Council: September 16, 2025

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    At the September 16, 2025, Regular Council meeting, Council authorized the Mayor and Corporate Officer to sign an Operating Agreement with Pacific Rim School District 70 (SD70). This agreement allows the District of Tofino to operate licensed childcare programs at the t̓aatn̓aʔałuk (easy speak taught-nah-alth-uk) – Taking Care of Children site, located at Wickaninnish Community School.

    Key Takeaways

    • More Childcare Spaces – Expansion from 18 spaces at the Community Children’s Centre to up to 32 spaces for ages 30 months–5 years, plus new school-age spaces (before and after school care), pending staffing resources.
    • Future Flexibility – The licence application includes provisions for under-36-month care (12 spaces) and multi-age care (8 spaces) if staffing resources allow.
    • Affordable Care – The District will pursue $10 a Day ChildCareBC funding to keep fees low. If not available, other Provincial supports will be used before moving to a cost-recovery model through the District's Fees and Charges Bylaw.
    • Community Transition – The Community Children’s Centre will close once the new site is operational, freeing up that space for Island Health to expand regional health services.

    More Information

    For further details on the policy, watch the Report to Council below and/or access the documents on this page.

    Watch the Report to Council. The report begins at approximately the 8-minute mark.