Does your community need more childcare spaces?

Childcare co-operatives are a great way for community leaders to come together and create licensed childcare centres.

We can provide the support you need to make a plan, access funding, and provide this fundamental service to your community.

For more information on creating a childcare co-op, choose your province:

Click here to request support for your
childcare project.

Learn more about how a group of leaders in southwest Saskatchewan created a childcare co-operative that will bring 60 new childcare spaces to their community.

  • The time is right

    Provincial governments are making investments in childcare – their mandate is to provide access to $10/day childcare and support the creation of new spaces to help meet the needs of families.

    What’s missing? People need to come together to make these childcare centres happen.

  • Okay, but how?

    Co-operatives First can help. We offer a unique approach to creating childcare co-operatives, that brings municipalities, Indigenous communities, and other partners together with community members to create the spaces families need.

    We can guide you through the process of creating a childcare co-op: all you need is a dedicated group that wants to get it started.

This initiative is supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada.

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block