We are building Western Canada's only degree-granting, purpose-designed, integrated Centre of Early Childhood Care, research and Lab School education.
High quality early learning and childcare is essential for children, families, and communities to thrive, enhancing children's readiness for school and for life, overcoming gender and socio-economic inequality, accelerating the diversification of the workforce, and nurturing the growth of a resilient and inclusive society.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, access to early learning and childcare are pivotal to a full and equitable recovery for BC and across Canada. In July 2021, Canada announced a historic first early learning and childcare agreement with the Province of British Columbia: 30,000 new childcare spaces will be created in BC over the next 5 years.
CapU's new Centre for Childhood Studies will accelerate the development of early learning and childcare professionals and leaders for this vital initiative.
Campaign Updates
Stay up to date on our capital campaign and the construction of the new Centre for Childhood Studies.
Find reports and other detailed information as we break new ground on the University's new Centre for Childhood Studies.
Announcement: $6.5 million in funding towards construction of The Centre
On January 13, 2022, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Anne Kang and Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen jointly issued a press release announcing $6.5 million in funding towards construction of The Centre.
Please see Campaign Overview for a full funding breakdown.
Fast facts
12,000
new Early Childhood Educators needed in the next 10 years (Province of BC labour market prediction)
84%
of childcare facilities struggle to fill open staff positions
12-24
Months
average estimated waitlist time for a childcare space in BC’s largest urban areas
32/100
In North Vancouver
there are only 32 childcare spaces for every 100 children in the infant-toddler and pre-school age categories
Find out more
Our Supporters
Get to know the people behind the Centre for Childhood Studies Campaign.
Meet our supporters