The West Kootenay Boundary Supported Child Development Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to support children who require extra support to attend inclusive child care settings. This program operates under Kootenay Family Place.
The program recently received a $10,000 grant from Columbia Basin Trust and $5,000 from Variety- The Children’s Charity to purchase much needed equipment and toys for children in the region.
The program recently completed inclusion scales with 20 child care centres in the West Kootenay Boundary and found that most centres scored minimal for equipment and materials that were adaptable to meet the needs of all children in their care.
The grant will be used to purchase special needs equipment such as, specialized bikes, sensory equipment, adapted toys, and inclusive books and posters. This equipment will be loaned out to child care centres that have children with developmental delays so they can enhance the child’s experience and provide opportunities for socialization and growth.
Kootenay Family Place would like to send a big thank you to Columbia Basin Trust and Variety- The Children’s Charity for providing funds for this worthwhile project.