Centre a 'life changer'

The Sunflower Childcare Centre just opened, but it already changing lives.

Located on Vernon campus of Okanagan College, the daycare opened at the beginning of October, providing much-needed daycare options for parents and faculty.

So now when Clara Cheung heads to class each morning, she is able to do so with her two-year-old son, Pak Sen, in tow. While Cheung is on her way to attend class, Pak Sen goes to the new childcare centre.

The Sunflower Childcare Centre/smúkwa?xn? sc?c?malla itskn snma?maya?tn opened at the start of October, creating new childcare spaces for student parents, faculty and community members.

“For me, this centre has made a huge impact on my life,” says Cheung, who is working toward her Early Childhood Education diploma.

“We don’t have a car, so having my son attend a daycare on campus has been a huge help.”

The opening of the centre has created an additional 44 affordable childcare spaces, prioritizing students, at a time when many parents are waitlisted for childcare services.

Cheryl Brus Peterson is a family doctor who, prior to the opening of the Sunflower Childcare Centre, was driving to Lumby twice a day, as that was the only childcare she could find for her son. For Brus Peterson, the centre is “life changing,” giving her back nearly two hours each day that she used to spend commuting.

The centre was created with help and collaboration from the community.

When the B.C. government announced new student housing on OC’s Vernon campus, former OC instructor Lloyd Davies along with his wife, Janet Armstrong, proposed the idea of including a childcare centre in the housing complex.

Davies was aware of the need. As an instructor he saw firsthand how some students would miss classes and exams as a result of not having access to quality, affordable childcare.

Compelled to support future students and give back to the community, Davies and Armstrong contributed an incredible $600,000 to kick-start the process.

Their donation helped secure more funding, with the provincial government contributing $1.5 million through the B.C. Childcare New Spaces Fund.

The Sunflower Childcare Centre then launched a community campaign aiming to raise the remaining funds required to complete the project and ensure it was fully equipped with an outdoor learning and play space.

The Vernon community raised more than $1.1 million including leadership gifts from Davies and Armstrong and many other community donors and local businesses.

"We couldn’t have done this without the inspiring support from individuals and organizations,” says Sasha Carter, manager of development with the Okanagan College Foundation.

“We know the benefits of quality early childhood education for young children. For student parents, they have peace of mind knowing their kids are safe and well cared for as they pursue their educational dreams.”

As the centre was preparing to open, the Galbraith family gave a $50,000 gift helping the campaign reach its goal

Ian Galbraith says education is an important priority for their family, compelling them to support a centre that would make education more accessible to a variety of students.

“Having childcare on campus will make education a focal point for people who can use that knowledge to benefit their own lives and strengthen our region,” he said.

Galbraith, a middle school teacher, said his children went to Maven Lane, the nonprofit operating the Sunflower Childcare Centre, and had incredible experiences.