Child Care in the Kootenays: Key Study Findings

In 2024 Community Futures East Kootenay in partnership with Selkirk Innovates undertook a research project to understand the business needs and challenges of child care providers in the Kootenay region (School Districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 51). The aim of this project was to help address these business needs and challenges by connecting childcare providers to existing supports and identify supports that are needed to help with business operations, to ensure the long-term sustainability of childcare providers across the region. We heard loud and clear about the challenges with wages and recruitment of staff, as well as business administration.