Vancouver opens first licensed weekend child care for school-aged children

Vancouver’s first licensed weekend child care program for schoolaged children began operating on Saturday at the Champlain Heights Community Centre. The program serves children ages five to 12 and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Staff and child care advocates say the service fills a gap for parents and caregivers who work outside standard weekday hours. Community association president Robert Baxter said the centre had unused capacity on weekends and that the flexible booking model can help families with rotating schedules. Vancouver Coun. Sean Orr said child care availability and affordability remain major concerns, especially for workers in sectors such as health care, hospitality, emergency services, and real estate. Advocates say licensed weekend care is still uncommon in British Columbia, where many children do not have access to licensed child care. The weekend program costs $65 a day and can make families eligible for provincial feereduction support and other child care benefits.