The Sq’ewlets Child Care centre, located in the heart of the Sq’ewlets community in Lake Errock, British Columbia, provides 12 infant-toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children between three and five. This new 450 m² facility benefits from a central location beside established community facilities such as a playground, administration building, clubhouse, covered outdoor space and sports field.

The project is oriented to the south, taking advantage of passive heating and breathtaking views across the Harrison River to Mount Cheam. The project showcases the use of nail-laminated timber panels, used for the entire roof deck, while the cedar siding and Sq’ewlets First Nation colour accents are intended to allow the building to integrate seamlessly into it’s natural surroundings.
“This new child care centre will provide early learning for our children, including learning about their own heritage and culture, which sets them up for success,” said Andy Phillips, Sq’ewlets First Nation member. “It also allows parents to work knowing their children are receiving quality care. I witnessed my own children start their learning journey in child care and it carried them through university and beyond, and this will allow other children to get started in a good way.”

The centre’s programming will be inspired by the Aboriginal Head Start program, with children learning about Indigenous culture through activities, such as language learning, arts and crafts, traditional dance and storytelling. Children will also have access to a library to help develop their literacy skills with a Halq’meylem speaker visiting regularly to teach the Halq’meylem language.

Related work: childcare Featured First Nations