Building a brighter future for Revelstoke’s youngest residents

After identifying a need for more accessible child care, Joanne Gawler created a model built for the way people actually live

Joanne Gawler identified a gap in local childcare access and set out to address it. — Photos courtesy of Joanne Gawler

When Joanne Gawler founded the Revelstoke After School Society in 2020, she was responding to a clear community need: more support for families. Five years later, after stepping away from the organization to make room for new leadership, she found herself recognizing another urgent gap emerging in Revelstoke—the shortage of flexible, accessible care for young children. As a mother, child care professional, and entrepreneur, Joanne understood firsthand the challenges families face when traditional child care options don’t align with the realities of work, parenting, and everyday life.

That insight became the foundation for Ray of Sunshine Child Care and Drop-In Centre Inc., a centre designed to provide welcoming, responsive care for families who need more flexibility. Open seven days a week, Ray of Sunshine was created to offer something between the all-or-nothing options many parents encounter: a place where children feel safe and supported, and where families can find relief knowing their little ones are cared for. We spoke with Gawler about the inspiration behind Ray of Sunshine, the evolving child care landscape in Revelstoke, and her vision for building a stronger future for local families.

What inspired the creation of Ray of Sunshine Child Care and Drop-In Centre Inc?

I began to see a bigger shift happening in Revelstoke. The number of young families was growing quickly, and with that came a significant gap in care, especially for children under five. It became clear that early years support was where the need was most urgent. As a mom of two, and an entrepreneur, I knew I could help.

Ray of Sunshine was created out of that gap (in childcare access). Families needed flexible, reliable childcare that didn’t always fit into traditional full-time models. As both a childcare professional and a parent, I saw firsthand how difficult it was, especially for those working irregular hours like CP Rail, industry work and tourism, or needing short-term care to find support. And I saw how creative parents have to get when there are no great options for care.

It wasn’t just a local issue. The same gaps exist across British Columbia and Canada. Families were often faced with an all-or-nothing system: either full-time licensed care or nothing at all. There was very little in between that reflected how people actually live and work. The vision for Ray of Sunshine was to create something more responsive, open 7 days a week, a space that feels welcoming, flexible, and deeply connected to the community. It is very gloomy here in the winter, and when the sun finally comes out, your shoulders drop and you feel relief. That is what I wanted our families to feel when they dropped off their little ones.

How has the company evolved since it first opened?

What started as a small, flexible care model has grown into a well-established centre with stronger programming, deeper community partnerships, and a clearer identity. We’ve expanded our services, refined our approach, and built a team that shares a commitment to inclusive, child-led care. Over time, the work has also grown beyond a single organization. It’s become part of a broader ecosystem of support all rooted in responding to different pieces of the same challenge. Recently, I’ve been involved in a community-wide child care survey in collaboration with the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce and Appenzell Construction. The goal is to gather real, tangible data on what families need. That work is already informing future planning, including a partnership with Appenzell on a new child care development in Revelstoke.

Was there a moment early on that confirmed you were filling an important gap?

It wasn’t just one moment—it was a pattern. Families were consistently telling us they had been on waitlists for months, turning down work, or piecing together care however they could. Each day I get phone calls about how to get a spot. It breaks my heart when I hear women who are not able to return to their careers because they simply can’t find care. But one moment that stayed with me was a parent saying, “We didn’t know what we were going to do until we found you.” That level of relief made it very clear this wasn’t just helpful, it was essential.

What does a typical day look like inside the centre?

No two days are exactly the same, which is part of both the challenge and the beauty of what we do. There’s a natural rhythm: welcoming children, settling in, group activities, outdoor play, meals and snacks: but it remains very child-led. Monday through Thursday tends to be more consistent, while our Friday through Sunday drop-in model brings a different energy, with new children and families coming in throughout the day. Because of that, we’re constantly adapting in real time. The environment needs to feel structured enough to be safe and predictable, but flexible enough to meet each child as they arrive.

How do you balance structured programming with drop-in flexibility?

We focus on creating a strong daily rhythm rather than a rigid schedule. This allows regular attendees to feel grounded in consistency, while drop-in families can join seamlessly. We use anchor points like snack time, outdoor play, and creative activities so children can move in and out without feeling like they’ve missed something.

What age groups do you primarily serve, and how does that shape your approach?

Monday through Thursday, we serve children aged 3 to 5, with a focus on play-based learning, outdoor/community based, emotional safety, and developmental support.

Friday through Sunday, we offer care for children aged 18 months to 6 years for only $12.50/hour. Regardless of how long a child is with us, whether it’s an hour or a full day, our approach remains consistent: responsive, relationship-based and grounded in care.

What’s the most challenging part of day-to-day operations?

Balancing demand with capacity is the biggest challenge. The need for child care is significant, and we often have to make difficult decisions when we can’t accommodate every family. At the same time, staffing, regulations, and supporting children through a wide range of emotions requires constant attention and adaptability.

What’s something people often misunderstand about running a child care or drop-in centre?

There’s a misconception that child care is a highly profitable business, it’s not!! With strict regulations on fees and high operating costs, margins are very slim. Beyond that, people often underestimate the complexity of the work. It’s not just supervision, it’s safety, licensing, staffing, programming, family relationships, and running a sustainable organization all at once.

How do you create a sense of safety and belonging for kids who may be new or unsure?

We focus on connection first. Warm, consistent interactions help children feel secure. Simple things, learning their name quickly, offering comfort, and giving them control over how they engage can make a huge difference in helping them settle in.

How do you support children with different developmental or emotional needs?

We take an individualized, inclusive approach. That means working closely with families, adapting our environment, and adjusting expectations based on each child’s needs. When additional support is needed, we collaborate with community partners like Community Connections. At the core, it’s about flexibility, empathy, and understanding that behaviour is communication.

Have you seen community needs change over time in terms of child care demand or accessibility?

Absolutely! Demand has grown significantly, and so has the need for flexible and inclusive care. Last year alone, there were just over 130 babies born in Revelstoke, with only about 30 infant and toddler spaces available. Our community is young and growing, and while that’s something to celebrate, it also highlights the urgent need for more accessible child care.

What barriers are families currently facing when it comes to accessing care?

Availability is one of the biggest barriers. There are only around 190 full-time spaces in Revelstoke for children under five. Affordability is another challenge, private care options like nannies can cost upwards of $200+ per day. At the same time, more affordable programs, like $10-a-day care, often have long waitlists. Many families fall into the gap where they don’t qualify for government support but still can’t access consistent care. At Ray of Sunshine alone, we currently have over 200 children on our waitlist, including families registering before their child is even born.

What do you hope families feel when they walk through your doors—and what do you hope the next chapter looks like for the centre?

I hope families feel an immediate sense of relief, that they’re supported, welcomed, and that their child is in a safe, caring environment. Looking ahead, the goal is to grow in a way that stays true to our values, expanding access while maintaining the quality and connection that define our work.

The results from our recent child care survey will give us clearer direction on what the community needs most. From there, we can move forward with intention, building more spaces for children under 5, strengthening partnerships, and continuing to advocate for policies that create a more equitable childcare system for both families and educators, not just in Revelstoke but in British Columbia.