A Brief History of ESPRIT
Supporting Families Since 1991!
ESPRIT Daycare is a non-profit Licensed Group Child Care facility providing care for children ages 12 weeks to 5 years.
Established in 1991, ESPRIT is still governed by a volunteer board (Sunshine Coast Teen Parent Education Association, SCTPEA). The daycare was originally set up to provide childcare for teen parents wanting to finish their high school diploma.
Fast forward 30 something years and Esprit:
- Remains one of the only licensed infant toddler programs in Gibsons
- Provides high quality childcare for more than 30 families
- Is still governed by a volunteer Board of Directors
- Offers affordable or free childcare for many low-income families.
Esprit Daycare has a long history of providing care to children with additional needs through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Supported Child Development. In 2018, Esprit Daycare became one of the 53 Universal Childcare Prototype sites for $10 a day childcare in BC, creating innumerable benefits to the families and children that use our program.
A Typical Day at ESPRIT
Everyone who cares for kids knows that every day is different! Here’s what our typical schedule looks like, though, weather permitting.
Infants & Toddlers
3 yrs to School-Age
8:00 – 9:30am Arrival + Play in “housekeeping” or “climbing” areas
10:00am Circle Time (stories & songs)
10:15am Snack time
10:30am Outdoor play
12:00pm Lunch time
1:00 – 3:00pm Nap
3:00pm Snack time
4:00 – 5:00pm Outdoor play
8:00 – 9:00am Arrival + Play in “housekeeping” or “climbing” area
9:00 Arts & Crafts
10:00 Circle Time (stories & songs)
10:30am Snack time
11:00am Outdoor play
12:00pm Circle Time (stories & songs)
12:30pm Lunch time
1:00 Outdoor play
3:00pm Snack time
3:15pm – 5:00pm Outdoor play
How You Can Support ESPRIT
As a non-profit childcare centre, ESPRIT relies on government grants, fundraising programs, and individual donations to stay open.
In 2024, ESPRIT’s board established a dedicated Fundraising Committee to help the daycare raise the required funds to:
- Complete much-needed capital upgrades
- Support staff training and wellness
- Meet general operating costs.
This tenacious volunteer committee researches and applies for grants, sets up bottle drives and other small-scale fundraisers, and is always open to ideas on how to financially support ESPRIT.
Please email the board with fundraising and grant opportunities!
Bottle Returns!
Dropping off empties at Gibsons Bottle Depot? Ask to donate your refund to ESPRIT Daycare!
Books and More!
Fun new reads at a great price! Use class code RC143097 and Scholastic gives ESPRIT credits to spend on books or supplies for the kids!
Donate!
Did you or your family benefit from attending ESPRIT? Join our beloved Alumni Donor Club. One-off or regular donations welcome!