Let’s rally to save the Seedling Program in Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam families, educators, and community members are deeply concerned about the abrupt and unexpected closure of the Seedlings Program operated by Hazelwood Early Learning Centre in Port Coquitlam.

With the last day of operations at TriCity Alliance Church scheduled for June 26, 2025, time is running out. This sudden closure comes after Fraser Health denied licensing approval for the program to relocate to the James Park Elementary Annex — a site where a licensed child care program had previously met regulatory requirements.  This decision, paired with the non-renewal of the church lease, has left 16 families scrambling for care, and dedicated staff without jobs.

In a community still reeling from the devastating fire that destroyed Hazel Trembath Elementary School in October 2023, this is yet another heavy blow. When Hazel Trembath was lost, the Seedlings Program, like the school community, was displaced.

The TriCity Church graciously provided temporary refuge, but now that lease is expiring, and efforts to transition to a new location have been halted not by lack of will, but by regulatory requirements that, while well-intentioned, may not fully consider the unique circumstances of this community. How does it make sense to close a licensed, high-quality early learning program in a time when licensed child care is already scarce? Families are now being pushed toward unlicensed options — which ironically do not guarantee the same washroom ratios Fraser Health is citing as a barrier to re-licensing.

We are urgently calling on:

Fraser Health to revisit the licensing decision or offer a reasonable path to approval that considers community need and context.

School District 43 to work with the City to facilitate temporary washroom solutions onsite or externally at the James Park Elementary Annex.

The City of Port Coquitlam will identify alternate spaces that may meet licensing requirements.

Any member of the community who has knowledge of a space that could help keep this vital program alive. This is more than a licensing issue. It’s about protecting access to safe, nurturing, and consistent care for our youngest. It’s about preserving jobs. And it’s about supporting a community still picking up the pieces.

We are seeking positive support from the community, and firm, immediate action from Fraser Health, School District 43, and the City of Port Coquitlam. Lets find a solution – together.

Kayla Doucette is a concerned parent and a resident of Port Coquitlam.