YWCA Vancouver closes child care centre

February 2, 2010

Vancouver, BC: YWCA Vancouver will close one of its child care centres this summer.

YWCA Citygate Early Learning and Care Centre provides care to children aged three to five, 25% of whom have special needs, and will be closing on August 31, 2010. The closure was a very difficult decision for the YWCA, who is committed to quality early learning and care for children.

The YWCA will take steps to minimize the impact on families, children and staff by working with families to find alternative arrangements and transferring staff to other YWCA early learning and care centres.

The decision was a financial one, as the YWCA has subsidized the Citygate facility by more than $1 million over the past ten years. The YWCA also currently funds its four child centres at a combined deficit of approximately $500,000 each year. Operating all four centres is not sustainable in the long term.

YWCA Vancouver will continue to advocate for a comprehensive range of services to support the optimal development of children aged 0 – 6.

YWCA Vancouver is a registered charity, providing a range of integrated services for women and their families, and those seeking to improve the quality of their lives. From early learning and care to housing, health and fitness, employment services and leadership, YWCA Vancouver touches lives in communities throughout Metro Vancouver.

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For further information, please contact:

Sondi Bruner                   
Communications Coordinator           
YWCA Vancouver               
604 895 5767                                   
sbruner@ywcavan.org