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School District No.73

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New Child Care Spaces in SD73

New Child Care Spaces in SD73

We are excited to partner with Inquiring Little Minds to offer child care to SD73 families.

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education looks forward to announcing the opening of the child care centre at Ralph Bell Elementary School, operated by Inquiring Little Minds (ILM), soon. Parents/Guardians who are interested in accessing child care may submit their child’s information to the ILM online waitlist form. More information is available on the ILM website: ilmeducationcenter.com. If you have questions about current space availability, please send an email to Inquiring Little Minds here. Read more.

At the Twin Rivers Education Centre site, the portable structures have been delivered. The next step in the process involves commencing utility preparation work during the week of September 4, 2023.

We will continue to share progress on this page under Milestones 2023.

Milstones

Timeline	Events
Oct. 26, 2023	Parents/Guardians who are interested in accessing child care may submit their child’s information to the ILM online waitlist form. More information is available on the ILM website: ilmeducationcenter.com. Read the "Inquiring Little Minds Child Care Centre at Ralph Bell Elementary School Open Soon" web release here.
Oct. 24, 2023
	On October 24, 2023, Inquiring Little Minds (ILM) was granted the license to operate the Child Care centre located at Ralph Bell Elementary School. On November 6, we expect that there will be a phased approach to having families bring their children into child care. This approach is commonly used to help children gain a sense of comfort with before and after school care as well as day care. ILM has been collecting families’ names and communicating with families directly.
Sept. 1, 2023
	Ralph Bell All systems are operational, including security, fire alarms, air conditioning, furnace, and electrical. A connection for monitoring the security and Fire alarm systems is still required. The HVAC system has been commissioned and air balanced. City sidewalks have been completed. Aluminum stairs and ramps are expected to arrive today. Electrical and Structural Engineers visited the site earlier this week. Mechanical Engineer is expected this morning. Licensing process will begin once Inquiring Little Minds receive the keys to the building.
	Twin Rivers Education Centre (Happyvale) Portable structures are on-site. Utility preparation work will begin next week.
Aug. 24, 2023	Ralph Bell Power is connected HVAC and electrical systems are being commissioned by the portable supplier Water and sanitary system connected Interior finishing being completed by the portable supplier Fenced play area is complete Waiting for stairs and ramp
Aug. 1, 2023	Ralph Bell Fortis is connected. No handrails or stairs yet - to be done in the next 3 weeks. Electricians are done. Waiting for BC Hydro. HVAC staff connecting air conditioning and working on natural gas lines. Plumbers hooking up water and sanitary. Grounds staff are doing play area fencing.
July 7, 2023
	On July 7, 2023, Board Chair Heather Grieve shared on behalf of the Board of Education that 72 child care spaces will open up when Inquiring Little Minds communicates a start date for intake of applications, which is expected to be in August. Read more.

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