We are so pleased to share that as of September 1, Hudson Child Care Society and Kits House are uniting!
Hudson Child Care Society (HCCS), an award-winning local nonprofit with a strong history in childcare services, has been the operator of Preschool and Before/After School Care at Henry Hudson Elementary School for more than 50 years.
Early last year, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC was announced as the operator of 95 new childcare spaces in the newly constructed Henry Hudson Elementary School. These new spaces will be operated by Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, providing care for children from birth to age 11. We are so honoured to have the opportunity to expand our support of children and families on the Westside.
Recognizing the value in working together as operators at the new school, our organizations have been participating in collaborative discussions to identify how we can best work together to serve the Hudson community. In our conversations, we quickly recognized our organizations’ shared values and commitment to high-quality childcare and enriched programming. After significant reflection and thoroughly weighing all the opportunities, the HCCS Board and senior staff took the first step in proposing that our organizations come together under the ANHBC umbrella for the benefit of the families and children we serve, for staff, and for our community.
This decision to come together was one brought forth by the HCCS team from a place of shared values and position of strength, with the goal of ensuring the best service and opportunities for staff and families. We are confident that though our shared values, common commitment to high-quality enriched childcare programming, and mutual dedication to building healthy, engaged communities, we are stronger together.
This transition is one that is mainly administrative, with no planned changes to the programming, staffing, or fees that HCCS has provided through their preschool and before and after school programs. Together, we are pleased to be able to offer a coordinated approach to childcare within the new Henry Hudson Elementary School, streamlining and simplifying process across programs. The amazing HCCS staff have joined the ANHBC Kits House team, and HCCS’ award-winning childcare services are continuing – just with a new name and in our lovely new space on the first floor of the newly completed Henry Hudson Elementary School.
Our shared commitment to centering the child in our work, building communities within learning spaces, and upholding the values of quality, inclusive, and accessible childcare have led us to this transition, and remain at the center of our work, together. We are deeply committed to honouring the rich history of Hudson Child Care Society, and to keeping focus and decision-making as local as possible.
We are honoured for the opportunity to work alongside the team at HCCS, to learn from their fifty years of experience providing childcare programming to the Hudson community, and humbly bring our experience as childcare operators, community builders, and place makers as we work together to support the Hudson families, staff, and community.
As construction continues on the third floor of the school that will house the new childcare spaces, and we have a better idea of when these much-needed spaces will be able to open to the community, we will keep you informed. For now, we are elated to welcome the Hudson team to the network, and look forward to welcoming the currently registered Hudson children to the new first floor space next week!