Posted on: April 24, 2024
As part of our commitment to foster a supportive environment for our workforce, Island Health is excited to share progress on our childcare projects. Recognizing the impact childcare availability has on both recruitment and retention, we are in the process of finding solutions to secure high-quality childcare spaces specifically for our staff and medical staff.
The Challenge: Lack of Childcare Spaces
The scarcity of childcare spaces within the communities we serve has hindered our ability to retain our current workforce, limits the hours they can work, and is a barrier to attracting new healthcare professionals. The Ministry of Education and Child Care estimates current spaces are only meeting 20% of the need, with the remaining 80% being met in informal ways through family, friends, unlicensed care or with delayed or limited return to work for parents.
Our Goal: Secure, Expand, and Retain
Our primary objective is to open new, high-quality childcare spaces for our staff and medical staff, with expanded hours to accommodate shift work, wherever feasible. Following a brief phase of researching need and capacity of existing providers, Island Health is now assessing three initial sites to determine suitability for new, purpose-built childcare facilities for healthcare workers. Assessments have started at RJH, VGH and WCGH. Findings will inform funding applications for these new builds. The assessments include everything from location, capacity and design features (such as outdoor spaces) to traffic flows and water, sewer and electrical capacity considerations. Final selection of the build location(s) will hinge on site feasibility evaluations, consultation with Indigenous Nations, and considerations regarding Early Childhood Educator (ECE) availability. In addition to assessing these new builds, childcare facilities are also included in the three new LTC homes announced in Campbell River, Nanaimo and Colwood.
Overcoming Barriers and Fostering Partnerships
Identifying obstacles, such as Early Childhood Educator (ECE) vacancies, are paramount to the success of our initiative. In our consultations, we found purpose-built facilities can attract and retain ECE staff. Island Health is fully committed to collaborating with non-profit agencies in managing these childcare facilities, thereby ensuring the highest standards of care for the children of our healthcare professionals.
Next Steps
Assessments and consultations with First Nations and municipal councils regarding the selected sites will continue now through the summer, and we anticipate final site selection and funding submission and approval by Fall 2024. Upon approval, funding applications and contracts will be finalized for a 2024 construction start, with the aim of completing the initial sites in 2025. The childcare operations working group is developing business models with fair and equitable access policies, drawing insights from experts in Long Term Care, Indigenous Health, and Public Health.
Have ideas or want to learn more?
Please contact workforcestrategy@islandhealth.ca.
This article is part of Island Health’s Health Human Resources (HHR) initiative which is focused on addressing staffing challenges, enhancing the health, safety, and wellness of our teams, and promoting innovation in service delivery. Learn more about Island Health’s HHR initiatives here.