About us
UBC Okanagan Child Care operates licensed group care for children from infancy to kindergarten entry. We aim to provide exceptional child care service to students, faculty and staff families within the university community. Our two centres are located near the upper student residences, next to a small forest that provides us with many opportunities to explore nature.
We employ skilled, educated and certified Early Childhood Educators. We value and support ongoing professional development and education for our staff. We are a unionized worksite; the early childhood educators are members of BCGEU.
Operated by the University of British Columbia, we are part of Student Housing and Community Services, a unit in UBC’s Vice-President, Students portfolio.
Our history
The original child care centre on the Okanagan campus was built in 1992. Since its inception, it was an independently run, not-for-profit child care, with a parent-led board of directors. In 2005, the North Campus of Okanagan College transitioned to the UBC system and became UBC Okanagan, and the child care centre continued to run independently.
Since that time, the student, faculty and staff population has grown more than threefold; however, until 2020, the centre operated with the same number of child care spaces. In 2019, a grant permitted the renovation and expansion of the centre’s original building to allow for 20 additional spaces, bringing the total number to 56. This expansion allowed for the creation of two new classrooms and separated the age groups further for programming to be more targeted at the developmental needs of the children.
In June 2023, Child Care at UBC Okanagan transitioned to being operated and managed by the University’s Student Housing and Community Services unit. In fall 2024, a second, new centre opened, adding another 37 child care spaces to campus. That fall, the two centres were also provided names in the nsyilxcən language by the Syilx Okanagan Nation, a reflection of the university’s partnership with the Syilx people.
Who we are
Get to know our educators and leaders.
Our values
Learn about our shared values.
Indigeneity
In 2024, the Syilx Okanagan Nation provided UBC Okanagan Child Care with two names in the nsyilxcən language for our two centres.
The request for names was made to the Enowkin Centre, the Syilx cultural, educational, ecological and creative arts organization and an important ongoing partner of UBC Okanagan.
The process convened by the Enowkin Centre engaged Syilx Okanagan Traditional Ecological Knowledge Holders who reflected on a package created by Campus Planning about the design, siting and sustainability approach, as well as the intention and program of the child care facilities. After a period of reflection and consideration, the Enowkin Centre shared the gifted names with UBC Okanagan in February 2024.
Our centres’ names
The names of our two centres were recommended as all Syilx captikʷł figures (such as swan and crane) have a purpose and appropriateness felt by the Knowledge Holders. captikʷł is a collection of teachings about Syilx Okanagan laws, customs, values, governance structures and principles that, together, define and inform Syilx Okanagan rights and responsibilities to the land and their culture.
spəqmix
Meaning: swan
This is our original centre.
How to pronounce spəqmix
sʔitwənx
Meaning: crane
This is our new centre.
How to pronounce sʔitwənx
Artwork by Les Louis
Our collection of custom illustrations, including the swan and crane above, was created by renowned Syilx artist Les Louis. This artwork is prominently featured at our centres as well as throughout our website.
Sustainability
Our two centres are located next to a forest, providing the children ample opportunities to explore the natural environment.
Our newest centre, sʔitwənx, was built following a passive design process, which means it works with the local climate to maintain comfortable internal temperatures. It also uses an electric air source heat pump and a central energy recovery ventilator and has on-site rainwater management.