Many new families are choosing Penticton for their new home. When making the move, one thing parents are looking for is access to reliable and affordable child care.
Recognizing a growing need for options, the City of Penticton created its Child Care Action Plan in 2021 with a commitment to create a total of 722 spaces by 2030. The City continues to make this a priority and has already met 60 per cent of its target, which includes the introduction of after-school care by the School District.
Here’s a look at child care options throughout Penticton, including those coming soon.
Edmonton Avenue child care facility
In 2023, Penticton opened its largest child care facility in Kiwanis Park. The $2.95 million Edmonton Avenue centre provides 116 spaces for infant and toddlers to preschool age.
OneSky Community Resources operates the 7,500-square-foot facility, which features six child care rooms, kitchen equipment, office spaces, storage rooms and ample outdoor play space with access to the Kiwanis Playground, Safety Village and Kiwanis baseball field.
Power Street child care centre coming soon
A new multi-age child care centre currently under construction at the Penticton Community Centre will provide 81 new spaces when it opens in late 2025.
The City of Penticton, in partnership with the YMCA of the Southern Interior BC, is expanding the site of the former Bugaboo University. When complete, it will add 12 spaces for children under age three, 44 spaces for children for three-year-olds up to kindergarten age, and 24 spaces for school-aged children. The Power Street Child Care project is being supported with a $3.9 million grant from the Province.
For more information on when registration is available, visit the YMCA website.
School-based child care facilities
The Okanagan-Skaha School District 67 is also adding new child care facilities throughout the region.
Penticton children and their families are already benefitting from 34 new spaces at the Leapin Lizard’s Daycare Centre, located on the grounds of Columbia Elementary school.
In addition, two centres are under construction at Wiltse Elementary and Uplands Elementary schools, which will provide 80 new spaces at each school. A third centre will soon be under construction at the new Skaha Lake Elementary school and will also be sized for approximately 80 children.
The Province partnered with SD67 to build the additional child care spaces through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.
In addition to those built, under construction or planned centres on school property, the YMCA Child Care at Queen’s Park Elementary offers 59 spaces at $10 a day for infant, toddler, preschool and before and after school care and Kids Connection at Uplands Elementary, a private day care offering before and after school care to 48 kids.
Interested in opening a child care centre?
The City is actively working with community partners to create new child care spaces.
If you are interested in opening a child care facility within Penticton, before signing your lease for your prospective property, we ask that you first contact our Development Services department and discuss your plans with staff to ensure that your location meets the zoning and other minimum requirements.
How to find child care
The City has a Child Care webpage providing information and resources to start your search.
The Child Care Resource Referral is a service sponsored by the Province that pairs parents looking for spaces with centres with openings. CCRR also assists with accessing child care benefits and other early childhood resources, including a toy library.
OneSky offers multiple sites throughout Penticton for infant to toddler, 3-5 years and before and after school care programs. YMCA and BGC (formally Boys and Girls Club) also have facilities.
There are also several drop-in programs for families to connect with other families.
YMCA in Penticton also hosts Mom and Baby Socials and free Family Play Time events.
Did we miss your facility? Tell us about it. Email communications@penticton.ca