Fort St. John school to extend childcare building and add infant-toddler spaces in 2025

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A school in Fort St. John is expected to have new childcare facilities by the end of the year. 

During School District 60’s April 14th meeting, Angela Telford, secretary-treasurer, said Robert Ogilvie Elementary School’s new childcare facility spaces are expected to be completed by December this year.

“Adding on to what’s already there, we’ll be putting in 24 spaces,” said Telford. 

Construction work to extend an existing building at the school will provide eight spots for children ages zero to three – referred to as infant-toddler spaces – and 16 spaces to accommodate children ages three to five. 

The new spaces include an activity room, a child washroom, storage room, kitchen and more.  

Telford said a playground included in the project will also be finished by the summer of 2026. 

Board chair Helen Gilbert said facilities operated by the YMCA are already installed at Margaret “Ma” Murray Community School and Anne Roberts Young Elementary School. 

The facility at Robert Ogilvie currently has eight spaces and the new build will be funded through a $1.4 million grant from the B.C. Ministry of Education. 

According to Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care, the funding will significantly benefit families facing economic hardship. 

“By investing in childcare and raising families up, our government is making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Arora.

“Childcare is critical for parents, especially mothers to be able to work, study and pursue opportunities which, in turn, is good for our communities and B.C.’s economy.”

Robert Ogilvie Elementary School is located at 100th Avenue and 86th Street in Fort St. John.