Impact & Reports
Measuring What Matters
The Kootenay Child Care Initiative is committed to transparency, learning, and continuous improvement. This page shares reports, summaries, and insights that reflect our progress, emerging trends, and outcomes as we work to strengthen child care across the Kootenays.
Together, these documents highlight what we’re hearing from providers, how supports are being delivered, and how the Initiative is responding to real-world needs in the region.
Reports
Reports are updated regularly and may include quarterly summaries, program insights, and evaluations related to workforce recruitment, provider stabilization, leadership development, and system resilience.
Kootenay Childcare Initiative Quarterly Report - June 2026
At a glance
- Initiative launched October 7, 2025, running through March 2027.
- 23 providers actively engaged, with tailored support to strengthen operations, drive expansion, and reinforce infrastructure for those at-risk.
- 37 providers and staff participated in monthly leadership and recruitment training this quarter.
- 3 providers have now completed their support, with 7 additional facilities expressing interest in the program.
- Focus areas include leadership, recruitment, behavioural challenges, and operational resilience.
What we’re seeing
- Leadership and team management remain key concerns, closely linked to staff retention.
- Growing challenges managing complex behaviours, compounded by difficulty recruiting qualified support workers.
- Strong interest in immigration pathways and cross-provincial credential recognition to help facilities recruit qualified ECEs.
- Rising demand for board governance support, team building facilitation, and standardized templates and documentation resources.
- Growing concern about operational resilience, particularly around the pause on $10/day applications and extended-hours care requirements.
What we’re doing next
- Hosting a virtual information session with IRCC on federal economic immigration programs for childcare employers (August 26, 2026).
- Offering Professional Development certificates for Leadership and Recruitment Series attendees, pending BC ECE Registry acceptance.
- Sharing the “Building & Empowering Your Team to Thrive” workbook and conference resources on the KCI website.
- Expanding group coaching through peer mentoring and increasing access to professional development for Kootenay-based ECEs.
- Continuing outreach in SD 5, 6, 8, 10 and 20, while capturing new leads in SD 51.
- Working with project partners to connect new providers to the Initiative beginning Fall 2026
Kootenay Childcare Initiative Quarterly Report - March 2026
At a glance
Initiative launched October 7, 2025.
23 providers actively engaged across the Kootenays.
20 providers receiving direct support (coaching, mentoring and/or recruitment).
26 providers and staff engaged through training only.
Focus areas include recruitment, leadership, operations, and long-term sustainability.
What we’re seeing
Recruitment and retention remain critical challenges across the region.
Strong demand for practical business, operational, and leadership training (e.g., HR, bookkeeping, succession planning).
Burnout, capacity constraints, and operational resilience are growing concerns.
Providers prefer flexible, accessible training formats with recordings and practical tools.
Ongoing need for support with behavioural challenges, staffing continuity, and system navigation (e.g., immigration pathways, credential recognition).
What we’re doing next
Continuing monthly Leadership Series and Recruitment Series Webinars through Spring 2026.
Expanding coaching, mentoring, and recruitment supports to meet provider demand.
Increasing access to practical tools, resources, and session recordings.
Strengthening connections to regional supports (e.g., CBT, Community Futures, CCRRs).
Maintaining regular provider check-ins to adapt supports and improve responsiveness.
Expanding outreach, training participation, and presence at regional events and conferences.
Kootenay Childcare Initiative Quarterly Report - December 2025
At a glance
Initiative launched October 7, 2025
19 providers engaged across the Kootenays
16 providers actively receiving support
Focus areas include recruitment, leadership, operations, and sustainability
What we’re seeing
Recruitment and retention challenges remain the top concern
Providers are requesting practical leadership, HR, and operational support
Burnout and professional isolation are common themes
Strong interest in virtual, flexible training options
What we’re doing next
Launching monthly Leadership Training Sessions (starting January 28, 2026)
Continuing provider coaching and mentorship
Expanding recruitment supports
Connecting providers to additional regional resources