Preschool closes as province commits $5M to childcare spaces

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — J and J’s Hoot and Howl Preschool has been serving the community for eight years, but will close its doors on June 30th. 

According to a May 20th Facebook post by J and J’s Hoot and Howl Preschool, government restructuring of the childcare system has led to low enrollment, forcing the centre to shut its doors. 

“To say we have been honoured and blessed to have worked with the families we have is an understatement,” the post said. “The children in our care have made us laugh, taught us so much and will be kept close to our hearts for years to come,” the post said. 

Joanne Fox, the owner of J and J’s Hoot and Howl, said the preschool is unable to compete with daycares being opened on school grounds.

“Their overhead [costs are] much less than somebody that’s in a private care centre, so it’s easier for parents to drop off and pick up, if they’re having siblings at the school,” she said. 

“With all the daycare centres that they’re opening and then they’re offering the affordable childcare. Parents in this day and age, a lot of them have to both work, so then we’re losing children to full-day daycare because it’s competitive to our prices when we can’t offer full days because we’re a preschool.”  

On May 11th, the province published a press release announcing a new investment supporting childcare spaces on school grounds.

According to the release, school districts will be able to access a new provincial investment as early as fall 2026. The investment will support the creation of before and after-school care. 

$5 million in child care capital funding from the Ministry of Infrastructure will support renovations and the repurposing of existing school building space to create new child care spaces. 

“Schools are community hubs and this funding will help schools turn available spaces into much-needed before and after-school care faster,” said Lisa Beare, the Minister of Education and Childcare. 

“School districts have been clear; this support is critical to creating more child care spaces for families. Our government remains focused on building a child care system that works for families now and is sustainable long into the future.”

The daycare said they are looking for someone to take over the space, calling it a “truly amazing and rare find” for anyone looking to expand their childcare dreams or simply lease a space.

According to the post, the space is currently licensed for a preschool and offers 2100 square feet, including an entryway with benches, coat hooks, and boat trays. It also offers office space and two washrooms. 

The post also said garbage pick-up, snow removal, air conditioning, and heating are included in the lease. 

Anyone with questions can email preschool@hootandhowl.ca or call 250-787-7319.