They operated out of a portable at George Pringle Elementary for more than 15 years, but plans to turn the space into a new West Kelowna high school have left a longtime French preschool in the lurch. Le Petit Hibou found a new home in a portable at Glenrosa Elementary. Now she is faced with the prospect of uprooting half her family or being denied a new license to operate. “Since our initial license more than 15 years ago, we are now mandated to have one toilet for every ten children. So we need two toilets now,” said Kristy Lamont, board president of the nonprofit Le Petit Hibou preschool. He says they currently only have one portable toilet at Glenrosa Elementary and have only ever had one. Up until this point, there has never been an issue. “We also have access to the elementary school restrooms, which are only 60 feet from door to door,” adds Lamont. The preschool turned to MLA Ben Stewart for help in persuading Interior Health to grant an exemption, allowing it to operate at full capacity of 20 students with just one toilet. “If we do put another toilet in our place, we lose floor space that we need for each child. So our capacity at that point would also be reduced.” Lamont points out that would leave ten families scrambling to find childcare. “Obviously, our intention is to open in September. “Without a permit, our families can’t apply for subsidies. Also, with the exception, we might be able to open with one restroom, but I don’t know how long it will take the school district (to build the second bathroom). “They have a high school to build and Webber Road Primary School which they are currently renovating to reopen.” Lamont says at least one other preschool in the area is licensed for more than ten students with a single restroom, and she’s asking Home Health to reconsider its decision. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, with the start of the school year just a month away.
