Child care is more than a service—it’s the backbone of a thriving, family-friendly community. As Chilliwack works to shape its future through the Official Community Plan (OCP), we need to ensure that land use planning includes space for this essential service. From urban design to zoning, let’s examine the growing demand for child care and the challenges providers face when trying to open new centres.
Child care in Chilliwack faces significant challenges as the city’s population continues to grow. Currently, there are spaces for just 17.8% of children aged 0 to 12, which is well below the Canadian average of 27.2%. This gap is most pronounced for infants and toddlers under 36 months and for school-age children needing before- and after-school care.
Looking ahead to 2029, the number of children aged 0 to 12 in Chilliwack is projected to reach 17,600, up from 13,875 in 2016. To keep pace with this growth, the city would need to add 2,507 new child care spaces just to achieve a modest access rate of 25%. However, to meet the provincial vision for universal child care access—where spaces would be available for 50% of children—Chilliwack would require an additional 7,000 spaces.
The scale of this shortfall highlights the urgent need for more investment in child care facilities. Without this, the already strained system will struggle to support the growing number of families who depend on safe, accessible, and affordable child care options. This reality underscores the importance of planning now to ensure Chilliwack’s families have the resources they need in the years to come.
Opening a child care centre isn’t just about finding any building—it’s about finding the right building. Unfortunately, many of the spaces available in Chilliwack aren’t set up for this use, creating significant barriers for providers.
For those looking to offer child care in residential areas, the challenges start with zoning. Home-based child care in single-family home zoning requires a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). While this process is necessary, it often triggers NIMBY pushback from neighbours, who may raise concerns about things like drop-off and pick-up traffic in residential areas and resist the unconventional use of a family home.
Even with community support and sufficient space to operate, home-based providers are capped at caring for 8 children under the age of 13, limiting the impact they can have on the larger child care shortage.
Moving into commercial spaces comes with a new set of hurdles. Many strip malls and older properties in Chilliwack are not designed to meet the needs of a child care centre. A lack of outdoor play areas—essential for child care licensing—and the need for expensive renovations to retrofit spaces to meet licensing and safety standards make this a costly endeavor.
The former Swiss Chalet at Eagle Landing and former Prospera Credit Union at Mary and Wellington have potential and are in active states of renovation to become child care centres. However, the use of those spaces does raise eyebrows for a lot of people, and you wouldn’t be out of line for feeling the same.
Even successful conversions, like Cream of the Crop (formerly a video store) and Creative Kids Learning Centre on Vedder, show that while it can be done, there is an uphill battle with tremendous risk that providers face when adapting unsuitable spaces.
The City of Chilliwack has already shown forward-thinking leadership by supporting the child care needs assessment, highlighting a real commitment to tackling this complex issue. The solutions lie in continuing down the path of thoughtful planning and working together to create the diversity of spaces our community needs. But can more be done?
Reducing development cost charges (DCCs) and building permit fees for child care projects can help offset the high costs of building or renovating facilities. Similarly, fast-tracking approvals for child care centres ensures these projects can move quickly, allowing providers to open their doors to families as soon as possible.
Mixed-use developments are another key part of the solution. Encouraging developers to include licensed child care facilities in their projects—such as ground-floor units with outdoor play spaces—ensures that these services are located where families need them most. Incentives like density bonuses or parking relaxations can make these collaborations even more appealing, paving the way for innovative developments that meet a variety of community needs.
There’s also room for creative thinking around how spaces are used. For example, rooftop play areas provide safe, fun environments for children, even in dense urban settings. Partnerships with parks or schools could allow child care centres to share outdoor spaces, reducing costs while building stronger community connections. Adapting unused retail or office spaces into child care facilities is another promising option, especially with added support like grants or design guidance.
Logistics matter too. Dedicated parking zones and well-designed traffic flow can make drop-offs and pick-ups safer and more efficient, reducing stress for parents and providers alike. These small but thoughtful details can have a big impact on how child care centres operate within busy neighbourhoods.
Ultimately, child care needs to remain a priority in Chilliwack’s long-term planning. Projects that integrate child care facilities into their designs—like the previously proposed site at 4th and Nowell—are great examples of how development can align with community needs, despite the project ultimately being rejected. As Chilliwack grows, including accessible, nearby child care options in neighbourhood plans will help ensure families have the support they need.
By continuing to support these ideas and encouraging innovation, Chilliwack can make meaningful progress toward solving its child care challenges. It’s a team effort that combines the City’s leadership with the public’s backing for diverse, forward-thinking development. Together, we can build a community that works for everyone.
If you agree that child care needs to be a priority, let the City know! You have limited time to visit Engage Chilliwack during the OCP review process and share your support for policies that create more child care spaces. This is your chance to help shape a city that supports its families and builds for the future.
Check out the City of Chilliwack's Child Care Needs Assessment & Strategy page on for more information about this.
