A childcare operator on school grounds in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School District will be allowed to stay.
Parents of Curious Minds Leaning Centre were outraged when they heard their beloved centre was being replaced by another come September.
A petition was started, asking the school district to change their decision and on Friday, July 19 the school district did just that.
"We have heard these concerns and sincerely appreciate the time each family has taken to share their thoughts with us," said SD42 in a letter to families.
The owner and operator of Curious Minds, Stefanie McCausland, said the decision to give the daycare locations at four school in the district was a crushing blow to her and her business, that she had grown in the district over the past 17 years.
SD42 had issued a request for proposal around May for anyone who wanted to apply to run day-cares at these school sites. McCausland received the results in early July.
"The purpose of the request for proposal (RFP) process is not only to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in selecting service providers but also to ensure we have the best possible care and education providers for our community," noted SD42 in the letter. "We recognize, however, that the timing of the decision and announcement has, instead, created a lot of unnecessary worry and upset, and that families are now struggling with uncertainties about potential disruptions in service at the beginning of the school year."
McCausland has now verbally agreed to a two-year contract extension at their four current locations: Glenwood Elementary, Maple Ridge Elementary, Eric Langton Elementary, and Maple Ridge Secondary. If your child is already registered with Curious Minds, you don’t need to take any further actions.
The new operator, Saltair Childcare Society, will only be taking over services at Fairview Elementary and Edith McDermott Elementary.
If your child is receiving child care services at Fairview Elementary or Edith McDermott Elementary, you will need to reserve a spot with the new operator,by end of day, on Friday, Aug. 23.
To reserve a spot, please email: inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com and include:
Parent/guardian’s full name
Child’s full name, age, and grade (where applicable)
Requested school site
"Our absolute priority is to provide affordable, high-quality childcare for the families and children in our community," said SD42.
