ELCCO supports the development of Affordable, Accessible, and Quality Not-for-Profit Child Care in Oceanside. Membership consists of a liaison representative from: RDN, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, Qualicum First Nation and School District 69; Early Learning and Child Care Organizations; and Child-care advocates and Families. The Council works at the neighbourhood level to build a democratic childcare system, based on research and expertise of Childcare Coalition of BC and Early Childhood Educators of BC. Successes of 2019-2020 include: Shared and supported the application process for BC Provincial funding “Child Care Needs Assessment.” Currently the group supports the ongoing data collection informing immediate and long-term decision making of childcare services and infrastructure development. This is a collaborative project with the communities of Lantzville, Nanaimo, and surrounding Regional Districts. Supported the application process for Child Care Space Creation Funding, to ensure the Oceanside community increases publicly owned childcare space. Building collaborative relationships and community resources, to support the ongoing development of publicly funded childcare in the Oceanside community. Encouraging community engagement by building alliances with families, maintained through email contact. Families are kept informed of the work of ELCCO and respond to “Calls for Action” when needed. ELCCO recognizes the need to support well-trained childcare workforce and supports initiative’s that address this challenge. Early Learning & Child Care Council is an action-orientated group that pulls together resources and expertise to meet the childcare community needs and move the universal childcare system forward. Children and their families need community support to grow future leaders.

Over the years the Intergenerational table has participated in many activities in the community that have encouraged connection between children and seniors.