Updated on July 18, 2024
On July 11, 2024, we shared with families that the school district would be changing the child care operator at six of its existing sites – Edith McDermott Elementary, Eric Langton Elementary, Glenwood Elementary, Maple Ridge Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and Maple Ridge Secondary.
Since then, we have heard from many families currently accessing these child care services.
The concerns they have shared range from the timing of the decision and announcement to uncertainties about the transition process and worries about losing familiar faces and established relationships that their children have with the current operator, Curious Minds Learning Centre Ltd.
We have heard these concerns and sincerely appreciate the time each family has taken to share their thoughts with us. The purpose of the request for proposal (RFP) process is not only to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in selecting service providers but also to ensure we have the best possible care and education providers for our community. We recognize, however, that the timing of the decision and announcement has, instead, created a lot of unnecessary worry and upset, and that families are now struggling with uncertainties about potential disruptions in service at the beginning of the school year.
Our absolute priority is to provide affordable, high-quality childcare for the families and children in our community.
To ensure seamless delivery of childcare for families, the new operator, Saltair Childcare Society, has decided to move forward with delivering childcare at Fairview Elementary and Edith McDermott Elementary only. At these two sites, child care services will continue seamlessly as there was already a scheduled closure before the start of the school year. This means the opening date will be September 3, 2024, as scheduled.
Curious Minds has verbally agreed to a two-year contract extension at their four current locations (Glenwood Elementary, Maple Ridge Elementary, Eric Langton Elementary, and Maple Ridge Secondary) to ensure seamless continuity of care. If your child is already registered with Curious Minds, you don’t need to take any further actions.
If your child is receiving child care services at Fairview Elementary or Edith McDermott Elementary, please reserve a spot with the new operator, Saltair Childcare Society, by end of day, Friday, August 23, 2024.
To reserve a spot, please email inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com and include:
-
- Parent/guardian’s full name
- Child’s full name, age, and grade (where applicable)
- Requested school site
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the current child care operator replaced with a new operator?
The school district issued a publicly advertised request for proposals (RFP) for day care service providers five years ago to select operators for a five-year term ending in 2024. A new publicly advertised RFP was issued by the district in April 2024 and resulted in a change to the child care operator at six school sites based on the award criteria. On July 18, 2024, the school district provided families with an update, advising that a change to the child care operator will only occur at two sites, Edith McDermott Elementary and Fairview Elementary.
The district conducts competitive bidding, including RFPs for high-value contracts, to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in the expenditure of public funds, and to provide reasonable opportunities for qualified suppliers to provide service in the district. Compliant submissions are evaluated according to the award criteria outlined in the RFP.
What criteria were considered in the selection process?
Proposals received from interested child care operators were evaluated based on their demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community agencies and school personnel to enhance the educational experiences for all children. Proposals were also evaluated for program quality, operational policies, level of fees charged to parents, staff remuneration and qualification requirements, as well as professional development opportunities provided to staff.
Operational policies that were evaluated included areas of access, inclusion, behavioural guidance, social and emotional learning, literacy, intellectual and physical development, and Indigenous culture and perspectives.
The structure for this assessment was guided by the B.C. Early Learning Framework.
Which operators were eligible to submit a proposal?
The request for proposals was publicly advertised. Proposals were accepted from all individuals, societies, corporations, sole proprietors, or partnerships interested in delivering quality child focused services at affordable rates. Current child care service operators were also directly invited to submit proposals.
Why were parents and staff of the current operators not consulted before making this decision?
The decision to conduct an open public competitive process for the opportunity to provide child care service in the district is guided by Board Policy 4600 Procurement of Goods and Services for which public consultation was held in 2022.
The district conducts competitive bidding to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in the expenditure of public funds, and to provide reasonable opportunities for qualified suppliers to provide service in the district.
The criteria for evaluating proposals for child care operators is guided by the B.C. Early Learning Framework. All proposals were evaluated based on specific criteria by a committee of subject matter experts, formed by the district.
What was the timeline for the RFP process and why weren’t we notified about the change earlier?
The estimated procurement schedule was set out in the request for proposal and included notable dates such as when the RFP would be issued and closed, when short-listed operators would be notified, and when the contract would be awarded.
The RFP was issued on April 30, 2024, closed on May 22, 2024, and awarded at the end of June. Current operators were informed on July 4, 2024, and a message was sent out on the Parent Portal on July 11, 2024.
No internal or external communications associated with the award are permitted until after the award documentation has been issued. This is best practice for public sector procurement and is required by SD42 Procedure 4600.4.
How will this transition impact the staff of the current child care operator at the site?
Child care operators submitting proposals were required to submit a staffing plan for their proposed programs that meets or exceeds the current child care licensing regulation and speaks to their recruitment and retention of qualified, experienced staff, and plan to support staff with access to professional development opportunities.
The new operator will be conducting a hiring process to meet staffing requirements at their new facilities and staff currently working at these facilities are eligible to apply through this process. Contact the provider directly to learn more.
Saltair Childcare Society
Inquiring Little Minds
https://www.ilmeducationcenter.com/
inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com
(236) 421-0081
Will I be paying more for child care as a result of the change?
The child care fee for the 2024/25 school year under the new operator at these sites will be lower compared to the 2023/24 school year.
For more information about the new operator, Saltair Childcare Society, visit their website or contact them directly.
Saltair Childcare Society
Inquiring Little Minds
https://www.ilmeducationcenter.com/
inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com
(236) 421-0081
My child is currently receiving child care services at one of the impacted sites. Am I guaranteed a spot with the new operator?
Yes, but you will need to reserve your child(ren)’s spot by end of day, August 23, 2024. The new operator will be prioritizing enrollment for all children currently receiving care at those sites.
To reserve a spot, please email inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com and include:
- Parent/guardian’s full name
- Child’s full name, age, and grade (where applicable)
- Requested school site
Will there be a change to hours of operation?
The hours of service for all these school sites will remain the same, with the possibility of a slight adjustment to the start and end time for preschool day care services. The overall program durations will remain the same.
Who is the new child care operator at the two sites?
Saltair Childcare Society will be the new child care operator at Edith McDermott Elementary and Fairview Elementary.
Saltair Childcare Society runs the Inquiring Little Minds (ILM) Education Center. Currently, ILM provides day care services in the following school districts: Cowichan Valley School District, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, and Kamloops-Thompson School District. They are expanding to Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows in September 2024. More information about the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows program will be available on their website within the next week.
Is the new child care operator licensed?
Saltair Childcare Society operates child care programs at three other school districts in the province and all of them are licensed.
They are actively working with Fraser Health to complete the standard licensing process for the sites they will be operating in the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District. Saltair has an experienced licensing coordinator who is dedicated to supporting this process to ensure a smooth transition.
How can I get more information about the new provider?
Saltair Childcare Society
Inquiring Little Minds
https://www.ilmeducationcenter.com/
inquiringlittleminds@gmail.com
(236) 421-0081
I have other questions about child care. Is there someone I can contact at the district?
If you have other questions about child care, you can contact the manager of child care for Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District at childcaremanager@sd42.ca.