Little Scholars
Little Scholars is a partnership between the and the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ, offering childcare on the Kelowna campus since 2009.
The YMCA SIBC operates and supervises the day-to-day operations of the centre, providing childcare spaces for both students and staff at the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ. Little Scholars provides 63 flexible licensed childcare spaces for:
- Infant care for children aged newborn to 30 months – 8 spaces
- Kinder care -10 spaces
- Children 3-5 years – 25 spaces
- Preschool education program: 20 spaces
The 3,000-square-foot centre features three separate active play areas, one quiet room, an office, storage, washrooms, kitchen facilities and a secured outdoor playground space.
If you are interested in Little Scholars at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ in Kelowna campus, please call 250-762-5445, ext. 5653. You can also refer to the following resources on the YMCA SIBC website:
Little Learners Academy
Little Learners Academy, located at ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s Penticton campus, opened its doors in September 2017. It offers infant and toddler care, daycare for ages 3 to 5, preschool and after-school care. Experienced, certified and well-trained staff provide care to children.
The Child Care Centre is open to families in the South Okanagan as well as children of ¹û½´ÊÓƵ students and employees. Extended hours of operation are available to accommodate early and evening classes, as well as shift workers in the community.
![Exterior view of the Little Learners Academy child care building](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_landscape/public/2020-02/little_learners_academy.jpg?h=bd358847&itok=5Oedkg2_)
Registering your child
Little Learners Academy is operated by (formerly Penticton and District Community Resources). All inquiries about registering your child in Little Learners should be directed to OneSky:
- Phone: 250-492-5814
- Email: info@OneSkyCommunity.com
- Website:
- In-person: 300 Ellis St., Penticton
Sustainable features
The facility is built to meet Passive House principles, a performance-based, voluntary, international construction standard for energy-efficient buildings that developed in Germany in the 1990s. Designed by Penticton’s Landform Architecture Ltd. and built by Ritchie Custom Homes, the facility has garnered three awards:
- Canadian Green Building Award, Institutional (Small) Award, 2018
- First Passive House-certified child care centre in Canada
- 2018 Tommie Awards, Best Environmental Initiative in Construction, Silver Finalist
Funding
The project was made possible by a $500,000 investment by the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development and support from donors throughout the area. The ¹û½´ÊÓƵ Foundation embarked on a fundraising campaign to raise $700,000. More information and ways to support is available at the Foundation.