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A Kamloops daycare planning an expansion has a waitlist nearing 1,000.

Children's Circle Childcare Centre has a waitlist that grows by 20 to 25 per month with around 800 names on the list now, according to executive director Karyn Sutherland.

While Sutherland couldn't comment on the waitlists at other centres, she said Children's Circle's list likely does overlap with some other daycares also facing high demand.

"It creates an issue for families where one parent is trying to return to the workforce," she said. "Some go on lists the moment they find out they're pregnant."

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Children's Circle opened in the 1990s to offer childcare for Interior Health employees and his since dedicated half its spaces for their children. The current list includes roughly 300 children of Interior Health employees.

In partnership with Royal Inland Hospital, the non-profit is planning a second daycare facility next door to its Sagebrush facility to meet the demand.

“This expansion is not just about providing more childcare spaces; it’s about ensuring that our healthcare professionals have the support they need to continue delivering critical services to the people of Kamloops, and to attract more doctors, nurses and other professionals that we so desperately need," Royal Inland Hospital Foundation CEO Heidi Coleman said in a news release.

Once built, the new facility on 9 Avenue is expected to host 154 childcare spaces.

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"Every new space is a step forward, as long as those spaces are affordable, inclusive and quality care for families," Sutherland said. "And then we have to keep up with the growth in Kamloops."

With the lengthy list, it not only means there are many families who simply can't get daycare service, those who do, have no choices. A daycare they find with an open space might not be their top choice for their child because of the services they offer or the location for example.

"It's difficult right now. I don't think, from what I'm seeing, parents have the choice that they always want," Sutherland said. "That can be a stressful situation."

When the daycare expansion will be complete isn't clear, but Kamloops city council approved the rezoning on Sept. 24 to move the development along.

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