Families near Ladysmith now have a new option in their search for quality child care. Happy Hedgehog Childcare Centre opened Oct. 1 at 205 Bayview Ave. in Ladysmith, offering licensed spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
“We are licensed for 24 infant toddlers — 12 upstairs and 12 downstairs — and another eight preschool, three-to-five-year-olds, downstairs,” said owner-manager Jade Nguyen during a tour.
Nguyen, a certified early childhood educator with infant-toddler specialization, and her husband, Stark, spent more than a year transforming a former clubhouse into a purpose-built daycare. Nguyen admitted the long process tested their resolve at times, but said the outcome made it all worthwhile.
“I actually can’t believe that we achieved this,” Nguyen said.
The couple did much of the renovation themselves, from building a new 40-foot accessibility ramp to framing, flooring and furniture. Around the time she was lifting a 16-foot beam alongside her husband, Nguyen realized she was pregnant. A fitting origin story for a baby likely to inherit their parents’ strength.
The project included extensive upgrades: new fire-rated doors and windows, a full fire alarm system with detectors in every room and a complete reconfiguration of the two-level space.
Happy Hedgehog now features bright, spacious classrooms, two nap rooms and a secure outdoor play area where children can explore and play. Inside, it’s a cosy, nurturing environment filled with books, toys and thoughtful, child-sized furnishings.
Support from the Town of Ladysmith and Island Health helped the couple persevere through strict building codes, an architect change mid-project and multiple inspections.
“The town was fast and efficient in communication,” Nguyen said. “We submitted our building permit mid-January, and two weeks later we got the permit.”
Nguyen said she was grateful to have the same Island Health licensing officer following their project from 2022 through to completion.
Community members have also stepped up to welcome the new centre and help spread the word.
“This was donated to us by one of our neighbours,” she said, gesturing to a small piano. When another neighbour who had watched them work for a year learned they were open, they helped put up posters around the neighbourhood.
While enrolment builds following the late-season opening, a few children are already settled in.
“I have two infant toddlers and one in the three-to-five group right now,” Nguyen said of the kids who are delighted to currently have the run of the entire place.
Happy Hedgehog offers two programs: Hoglet (under 36 months) and Hedgehog (30 months to five years). The centre operates as a fully licensed group child-care facility.
The centre has opted into the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative and welcomes families eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit. They are also listed on the Child Care Provider Referral list for Nanaimo and Ladysmith, where families can find licensed facilities in the region.
“We knew there was a need, especially for infant-toddler care,” Nguyen said. “Now we’re ready to serve the community.”
For information or registration inquiries, contact Happy Hedgehog Childcare Centre at 236-989-9869 or email [email protected].
