Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre adds 24 new infant–toddler spaces
Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre adds 24 new infant–toddler spaces
More Kelowna families will soon have access to licensed child care as the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre has expanded to add 24 new infant–toddler spaces for children under 36 months, helping address one of the most significant gaps in child care availability.
With the expansion, the centre will now offer 110 licensed child care spaces, including 36 infant–toddler spaces and 74 spaces for children aged 30 months to school age.
The expansion was made possible with a joint provincial and federal investment of over $2.5 million through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund and builds on the partnership between the City of Kelowna, YLW, KF Aerospace, the YMCA and the Province to provide quality, affordable and inclusive child care for families who live or work near or at Kelowna International Airport.
Access to child care helps attract and retain skilled workers and supports regional economic growth. Near the airport, improved access reduces barriers to employment for parents of young children and supports key industries, including aerospace and aviation. YLW is one of only three airports in North America offering onsite childcare.
Demand for infant–toddler care remains high, and the 24 new spaces created through this expansion have already been filled through the centre’s existing waitlist, which can be found here. Children are expected to begin attending once licensing and final approvals are in place.
The facility was built with expansion in mind, which has allowed the child care centre to expand seamlessly from the existing footprint.
This addition of 24 new infant-toddler spaces at the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre is part of a broader infrastructure expansion at the Kelowna International Airport, which includes various projects that contribute to building a vibrant, inclusive community and supporting the long-term success of local businesses, aviation partners, and the regional economy.
ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund:
The ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund is jointly supported by provincial and federal funding under the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. British Columbia and the federal government signed an extension to the agreement covering 2026-27 until 2030-31.
No matter the child care option parents choose, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides direct, tax-free support, helping about 3.5 million families every year, including over 450,000 families in B.C. While families can use the benefit however they need, for many it significantly reduces the burden of child care expenses – in some cases, cutting them entirely thanks to federal, provincial, and territorial investments to reduce child care fees in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
Quotes:
Mayor Tom Dyas, City of Kelowna
“Access to reliable, high-quality child care is essential for families and for a strong local economy,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This expansion at the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre will help ease waitlist pressures and better support families living and working around the airport campus. Investments like these strengthen our community’s economic resilience by supporting young families with access to quality care close to where they work. I want to thank the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia, along with our partners at YLW, KF Aerospace and the YMCA, for their continued collaboration and investment in child care in Kelowna.”
Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care
“Expanding child care spaces at the Kelowna Airport YMCA is making a real difference for families,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “Infant and toddler spaces are in high demand, and these new spaces will help parents return to work and care for their families. By working with partners in Kelowna, we are building more of these spaces in the places families need it most and supporting strong, growing communities.”
Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement
“The new child care centres will give more families in Kelowna opportunities to thrive,” said Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement. “These investments in affordable spaces will help to meet increased demand and will allow more families to access child care close to home and work. Kelowna families will save time and money with these child care spaces.”
Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer of Kelowna International Airport
“When the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre was built, it was the result of strong partnerships between the City of Kelowna, YLW, KF Aerospace, the YMCA and the Province, and a shared commitment to planning for the future,” said Sam Samaddar, Chief Executive Officer of Kelowna International Airport. “That collaboration has made expansions like this possible, supporting families while contributing to the long‑term growth of the airport and the regional economy.”
Allyson Graf, President and CEO, YMCA of Southern Interior BC
“The YMCA is proud to be part of this innovative Child Care project, providing much needed access to child care families rely on,” said Allyson Graf, President and CEO, YMCA of Southern Interior BC. “Over the last 5 years, the YMCA of Southern BC has opened 8 child care centres serving over 1100 children today.”
