New child-care spaces in B.C. schools hailed at South Surrey event

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As youngsters played in the background, several politicians and dignitaries gathered at Ta'talu Child Care Centre in South Surrey Thursday morning to hear about child-care spaces at B.C.'s schools.

After introductions and a blessing from Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell, who gifted the SENĆOŦEN-langauge name Ta'Talu — meaning "little arms" — to the elementary school before it opened last year, several politicians spoke to the gathered crowd.

Families in 12 communities throughout the province are benefiting from 640 new child-care spaces on school grounds, expanding access to high-quality child care for young children, as well as before- and after-school care, noted Lisa Beare, B . C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care, pointing to the