We’re thrilled to share that Bridgitte Alomes, founder of Natural Pod, is back for part two of her conversation as a special guest on the “BC’s Path to Universal Child Care Podcast” (Season 4, Episode 7).
In this episode, CCRR podcast host Gyda guides Bridgitte and Rory Richards founder of NUQO Modular as they continue their discussion, sharing about the lessons they’ve learned and the systemic challenges they’ve faced while creating scalable, community-led childcare spaces. While their innovative partnership is worthy of celebration, they speak with passion and honesty about the hurdles that have stalled progress and the urgent need for government policies to refocus on this issue.
Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or listen below to hear them discuss why quality childcare is not just a social program, but a fundamental economic issue that touches every family. As Rory Richards points out, its importance cannot be overstated:
“And those of us in childcare, those of us who have small children, or family members with small children, know it doesn’t get more dinner table than childcare.”
They also explore why the wellbeing of educators is essential for creating the nurturing environments our children deserve. Bridgitte Alomes explains how the energy of a space directly shapes a child’s experience and future:
“Children absorb our energy and they feel how we feel. If we come into a space and we are not inspired, or we don’t feel nurtured or safe or comfortable, that goes to our children. And they’re the people that we’re supporting for our future. How can that not be important?”
This conversation is a powerful call to action for educators, families, and policymakers to advocate for the supportive, high-quality learning environments that all children and educators deserve.
You can listen to Part 1 of the conversation in our April article, Latest Innovations in Early Childhood Education & Child Care with Bridgitte Alomes and Rory Richards
Originally posted at wstcoast.org
Read the full transcript below.
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Full transcript:
Welcome back to BC’s Path to Universal Childcare. I am Nora and I’m so glad you’re joining us for part two of our conversation with Bridgitte Alomes of Natural Pod and Rory Richards of NUQO modular.
We’re recording live today from the ECBC conference in Richmond, and it feels especially meaningful to be in this space, surrounded by so many passionate early childhood educators and advocates.
Before we begin, I want to acknowledge that we are gathered here on the unceded ancestral territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
We are grateful to live and work on this land and to engage in conversations about care, community, and transformation.
And transformation that honors indigenous knowledge and leadership.
In part one of our conversation, we explore how Natural Pod and NUQO came together to address a critical need, creating high quality sustainable early learning spaces in underserved communities.
Today, we’ll dig deeper into what they’ve learned, where they’re headed, and how their partnership is helping to shape the future of childcare in BC and beyond.
That’s right, Nora. And before I introduce Bridgitte and Rory, once again, I’d just like to acknowledge that today is May 8, and we are here in May as Child Care Month honoring all the educators that work so passionately and with intentions to support children in their greatest potential.
We had such an incredible response to the first episode and listeners were inspired by the way these two leaders were reimagining what’s possible for underserved communities in particular.
Bridgitte and Rory, thank you both for joining us again and we’re looking forward to going deeper into your shared work and what’s happened since we last spoke.
And of course, guiding us through today’s conversation is our fearless interviewer, thoughtful, curious, and always ready to ask the big questions. Welcome back, Gita.
So let’s dive right in.
Thanks so much both Crystal and Nora, and let’s dive in.
So our first question asks, since our last conversation, please share with us some of the progress or milestones that you have hit together. Hit might not necessarily be a good early childhood word.
Let’s just say what progress or milestones might you have made that you could share with us?
Great question. And I really would like to think that we’ve hit more since we last spoke with you, but we’ve hit a bit of a standstill.
I think that’s partly because of some of the systems that are in place that are not necessarily putting education at the forefront.
And I mean, we are excited about a project that is opening up in the fall of 2025, be the first of its kind, that integrates both Nuquo and Natural Pod into the system and supports community.
However, with some of the recent announcements that have been coming through, a lot of those things haven’t been brought forth.
So part of that today is I think for us is, yes, we’re coming together and we continue to do the good work and bring out the messaging of the work that we’re doing.
But in reality, we would love to see more progress than has really has been made since we last connected.
Do you want to share a bit more about that, Rory?
Sure. And thank you again for having us back. It was so fun the last time and some really meaningful conversations took place.
As Brigitte alluded to, we do have a project together that we’re really happy to announce.
Nuquo is going to be building 119 space childcare in West Vancouver for the school district there.
And Natural Pod is going to fill it with their holistic, beautiful furniture to support all the learning that’s going to happen there.
So we’re really excited about that.
So we actually have a further question down the row, which will give you more opportunity to expand on this new and exciting project.
So I think what we’re hearing is a little bit of a standstill right now, given a number of the provincial budget, I guess we would call constraints and challenges, et cetera, et cetera.
And then on the plus side, what I took from your response is the messaging is getting out, which is really important and I think will be added to
and maximized by our conversation today.
Our second question asks you about some of the lessons you’ve learned about collaboration, system change, navigating government processes since launching your initiative.
So we’re kind of digging deep a little bit about some of the lessons that you have learned or perhaps in the process of learning.
Well, I think the big takeaway is the situation with our government is very fluid right now and it’s very, very unpredictable.
And the trickle down effect on budgets for education and healthcare and other ministries are being hit hard.
I think there’s a lot of focus with our unfortunate situation with our neighbors to the south that it’s going to impact the price of cars or the prices of Florida oranges.
I’m sad to say it’s much bigger than that.
The war chest that our government is creating to fight the tariffs, to fight back and protect Canadians, those funds are coming from other ministries.
So it’s impacting healthcare, it’s impacting education and our government has had to make some really tough decisions and we may not agree with them.
And they are definitely affecting the childcare sector.
For sure we can understand that Rory. Anything Bridgitte that you might want to add to that?
Yeah, I think part of that is when we talk about messaging and how to collaborate.
I think the key thing, you know Rory mentioned it in our first podcast about that with peanut butter and jam together is that collectively no matter what we’re navigating in the world,
we’re always putting children at the center of learning as a key priority.
And I think that we put children center of learning that we obviously have to focus on educators and the care of those and supporting them.
And while we’re navigating some systems challenges with our government and things that are happening down south,
it’s important as female leaders that are impacting our community to stand together and true around what we can make a difference.
Continue to do intentional work, to have the hard conversations, to spend time in communities such as being here at the ECEBC conference who will really inform the work.
And together we can make a difference and part of that is acknowledging that it isn’t an easy time to really put that out there.
We’re feeling it, educators are feeling it, families are feeling it.
And I think it is really more important than ever that education and childcare spaces be more prominent, be more community centers.
The space that we are working on together that will open is an inclusive space that supports all of the community, not just the children that are going to be in that care.
So I am so inspired by your words, Bridgitte, and for the listeners to the podcast today and unfortunately you can’t be in the room with us,
but we know that relationships are the heart of the work that we do with children and it’s clear watching you, Bridgitte, and Rory together today
that your relationship seems to be the epicenter of your partnership here. So that’s really beautiful to witness too.
And I really like how you said it is an extension of their lives, right? It is an extension, it shouldn’t be separate, we go from here, there, there.
It benefits the community, the families, everyone.
So well said both Rory and Bridgitte and Crystal and Nora. You’re absolutely right, a challenging time in terms of government situation.
Yet the two words that really sing out and will for me are intentional and inclusiveness.
That has to be the focus of our pathway.
Our next question asks, and we did focus on this a little bit in the first podcast, however maybe opportunity to expand on it a little bit.
How are you hearing from or including voices of children, educators and families, especially in underserved communities within your design process?
That’s a great question, Geeta. I would actually zoom out a bit wider beyond the design process and really focus on the women in those underserved communities and what lack of childcare means to them.
It means they can’t go to work. It means they’re excluded from the workforce and they’re isolated economically and it just reinforces how important accessible affordable childcare is.
This is an economic issue, it’s a gender issue, beyond just being a social and educational issue.
Right on. Anything Bridgitte to? Yeah, I’m going to add a very different perspective. I had the privilege of something I’ve always wanted to do on my bucket list was to go to Regio Emilia and be a part of the study tour there.
And the, the interesting takeaway from me is that children were connected and at the center of their community and everything that they did. It wasn’t an afterthought, women and families were connected elders were connected.
You know, it just didn’t feel like this difficult thing to navigate it was like childcare, education, community was just their way of knowing.
And I go and I come back here and I think about it and I go, how do we create more of a way of knowing that it is a right for children to have that level of care, every child deserves an excellence.
Every parent, mother, father, whoever you want to structure it, auntie or uncle deserves that level of support. Yet, it is one of the hardest things that we have to navigate in trying to figure that out.
And if women can’t go back to work to support their family during a very difficult economic time, and there isn’t quality and I’m talking like quality care, care that is about putting the child at the center and a space that is evident of a child’s learning,
which is not about me and not about you. It’s actually empowered me even more to realize how depleted our community can be if we don’t make that happen.
On the positive side, I will say that as number of spaces that are created here in British Columbia are innovative, that are forward thinking, that are integrating indoor and outdoor care, that are integrating families.
But it’s just not enough of it. There’s more that we can do better.
Not enough of it. Sorry, Nora.
No, that’s okay. I was wondering if you think that because of the way the spaces are designed is that we have that separation of now we’re here, now we’re here, you know, in different places when we’re with children and families.
Because as you mentioned before, you like having that continuity right? So would you say that does it have to do with how spaces are designed where we are with children or is it another systemic issue? I don’t know.
I’ll answer that and I’d love to hear your thoughts on that Rory. But, I mean, for me, it really has little to do with design and what’s in the space. Right? Let me just speak to this.
No matter where you are in the world, you may not have the most latest and greatest design building, you may be in a rural community. It is the energy and the intention and the heartbeat that you bring that changes that.
It is the responsibility to know how important it really is. We can’t put importance on things. It’s not about the things that we have or we don’t have.
In fact, majority of the spaces that I think are the most inspiring start from nothing. So as much as I’d love to say it’s about the great work that Rory and I do. I mean, really, we’re merely providing the canvas.
Our work is not the hero. The hero is the heartbeat from the community. That’s how I feel about that. But yes, there was good design, intentionality and they’re important, but without the community involvement, the inspiration around that, it doesn’t breathe.
It gives me goosebumps. Really, just incredible from a philosophical perspective how you describe, first of all, the whole situation of zooming wider out to the situation of women primarily in underserviced communities.
And then the focus on Reggio Emilia where we know from the history that women were critical to the founding of the fact that even when, speaking from a government point of view, government financial resources were at an all-time low.
And then the decision about priority being given to children and families became number one. And just your reference to energy, intention and the heartbeat sings out in everything you say.
And the fact I was listening to a Reggio Emilia-focused workshop the other day where the presenter talked about the fact that materials do have agency. So I was thinking about materials in your design and project and actually I think our next question leads us in that direction.
I wonder if Rory has opinions about the question that Brigitte just answered.
I think Brigitte really beautifully captured the power of design and how it can enrich and enwrap quality and education and also deal with a lot of issues within the childcare sector, like the fact that so many ECEs are leaving the profession early due to chronic injuries that they experience on the job
and how that can be mitigated through quality ergonomic design as well as for the children. There’s so much that can be integrated in the design to calm them.
So whether it’s acoustic panels to make sure that there’s a good acoustic environment for children who are just also learning to form words and learning how to speak. The acoustics in a room are so important as well to lower their stress because if a room is too bright or if it’s too loud, a child gets overwhelmed.
And then their caregiver gets overwhelmed. So these are all the nuances of really good, mindful design in a childcare environment.
Nuances.
Every question just is a segue to more and deeper and broader communication. So our next question asks, big picture question, what would it take to scale your model more broadly across BC or even nationally? What kind of support is needed from government or the sector or and the sector to make this happen?
Well, I mean, childcare in the childcare sector, you have some of the most intelligent, committed, competent, primarily women who have the solution.
It’s not like we were coming to conferences like this to have a light bulb moments. We know what the solutions are. Really, the solution lies within government focus and government funding and government priority.
I think that’s a really good point. I mean, collectively as a community, understanding that it is a priority for us all. I mean, we would love to expand and see more of this happen.
But we need some of the barriers to be removed, which is partly making it a focus. And there’s a system, I think part of the systems changes to consider really what that impact is beyond just the facility, beyond just the children that we’re serving, but the community impact and what that tells families that are moving into those areas.
It’s just not highlighted enough, you know, as we move forward. And I think given some of the changes in focus and priorities that are out there in order for us to do good work that we really need to do and want to do.
And yes, we’re excited about the new space that’s opening. And once it’s out there in the world and people can see it and feel it, live it and breathe it, amazing.
But what are we waiting for? That’s the part I’m trying to figure out. Like, I feel like in a way, if I may say that being a part of this movement for the last sort of 10 plus years and even beyond that, but I feel like we were making a lot of progress.
And I feel like we’re going backwards.
I agree. Would you agree? I agree and it’s disappointing to be quite frank. There has been a very bold start and some huge steps made in the first few years of the provincial and national childcare initiative.
But it has gone off the road somewhere, which is, which is quite, it’s disappointing. I remember earlier last year, just before the election, I attended UBCM, which is the Union of BC Municipalities.
All the elected municipal officials from across BC and our premier gave, traditionally gives the closing speech and it’s a great place to be, to understand where everyone’s mind is going.
And I made two observations at the conference. One, in all the individual breakout sessions, when individual councillors and mayors from municipalities got up to ask questions to the panels, which were mostly comprised of provincial electeds,
I was shocked that the majority of them started by acknowledging the spaces that their, the childcare spaces that their community received.
Even if their question in the session had nothing to do with childcare.
So, hi, my name is so and so I’m the Councillor from Creston. I just want to acknowledge that we received new spaces from the province and how much that meant to our community and just want to thank you.
And it was like, wow.
The second observation I made was when the premier gave his big speech and it’s when he introduced the concept of dinner table. We’re going to focus on dinner table issues, which is really the theme of the campaign.
And there was not one reference to childcare in the entire speech.
And those of us in childcare, those of us who have small children or family members with small children know it doesn’t get more dinner table than childcare.
You know, if you do not have childcare, you are hooped. It has a, you know, massive impact on your family.
And that signaled to me that there was a blind spot.
In our leadership right now and and credit. There’s lots of distractions but and lots of credit that needs to go to this government for the strides they have made. But I think we’re in a time that it’s a bit of a blind spot.
Very rarely even mentioned. Yeah.
And I don’t know, I was kind of thinking from from our liberal leadership now that maybe it’s just an assumption that’s going to be there now, right, there’s this federal level.
Yeah, yeah.
So, it is.
So, you know, educate and promote the fact that everything that you’ve said about childcare means women can work.
Sorry, anything you wanted to add to that. Yeah, I mean, it’s interesting to me when I think about how proud I am to be a Canadian and live in this province of British Columbia because of its beauty because of its heritage, because of the progressive work that we’ve
done in early childhood education.
But I’m very concerned in this moment, if we don’t shift that priority back to where it was before that we will be not leading the way we were leading the way as a province across this country of actually examples of breast practice.
And so we have people come and visit from all over the world going, I want to see their early childhood programs here and here and here and here and I’ve taken other people from from down south and back east to come to British Columbia to see the work that we’re
doing.
And I think it’s an opportunity to feel proud about what we’re doing. And so it is important to me to share today that my desire and my focus is to figure out how we can up level where we’re currently at where the some of the challenges opportunities are.
And ultimately collectively as early childhood providers. We have to give more voice and agency to the gaps that are truly there. And there are significant gaps. And, you know, we’re here under the umbrella of the early educators conference.
And one of the most
glaring oversights is the wage grid for ECs.
And I think that we really need to keep underlining and keep advocating, because they are everything.
We can have lots of spaces, but we need committed passionate well supported educators to be in fairly.
Families with educators. We need that we can have we need to make it a sector that new ECs want to go into this. That’s right. And can actually make a career. Yes, it’s a thing right the whole recruitment and retention crisis.
And I’m remembering reading an article from decades ago I wonder if it’s still true. Nothing against zookeepers however the title of the article was zookeepers make more money than childcare providers.
Oh my goodness. Stop treating ECs like glorified babysitters. They’re not professionals. So at least we’re not called babysitters anymore yet. Uplift, up level the whole situation with all the current barriers facing us and the fact that we were so proud and uplifted
to be where we were in terms of childcare and now things have really come to a disturbing not only disappointing stop in the process or halt.
Next question. You both spoken so well and so deeply about the why behind your work.
So Bridgitte you talked about 10 years plus and whomever might like to start.
Yeah, it’s definitely evolving and I think that part of that is being aware of as certainly as I, you know, year over year as I’m growing personally as a as a as a woman as an individual.
I’m seeking more perspective more depth of knowledge, I’m seeking more conversation advice.
And how they can come away from that experience each and every day saying I did it. When educators are not making assumptions when they’re really connected to their work they’re inspired.
And I think that’s one of the things that I was really challenged with while I was in regio and I mean again it’s a special place, but I was kept questioning, why is all the educators in the space, the people that are cooking the meals the TA supports the bus driver
everyone that’s supporting this public system.
Why are they so happy.
And I was like, they’re magic, they were magical people like I kept looking like, where’s the secret sauce I want to take it back.
And I couldn’t figure out the secret sauce it’s because it has been always made an intentional priority.
And part of that for me is that I see pockets of intention I see pockets of magic, but I see more depletion so I then it gives me hope to keep finding purpose.
And it’s, it’s, it’s layered I’m a mom to three young kids. I was an activist, a child care advocate before I was a mom now I’m a mom now I interacting with with caregivers every day as I, you know, drop my kids off and pick them up.
And I see the incredible work they’re doing the incredible effort. And I see them unsupported.
It just really motivates me to help and do, do what I can and for for me professionally I’m able to do that through through new co by by designing and building supportive spaces for the kids and their caregivers, because they’re always overlooked.
They’re always the afterthought.
They’re all living in the same space right there, all sharing this space, like the ECs have five six days six days a year.
That’s crazy.
Ever had a child, and in child care we’re always getting sick right.
Constantly. So, wow. So I love that between the two of you you really focused in this particular question on the critical connectedness will go CCCC critical connectedness between children and their child care providers.
And I think, as your reference to ratio. I read somewhere heard from somebody who made a study tour there that no matter one’s role as the Baker the bus driver the cook.
Everybody has such a sense of connectedness and no hierarchical, you know, like the bus drivers not as important as the teacher in the program. So that collaborative connectedness of a philosophy that we’re all in this equally to get that.
I do want to add something to that when you just said that is, is because how, like, how do we achieve that.
How do we achieve that, you know, line of where everyone is has a place of equality, but it comes from a place of joy and happiness.
So if you’re not being supported in any of those capacities if you’re coming into a child care facility already depleted, not having enough sick days, not getting paid enough, not having support for your own children, having to commute many many miles to get to work,
and not being able to find childcare, then the joy starts to just dissipate. And then there’s other things start to layer in so you’re already coming in to your place of work, feeling depleted.
My point being this is that children absorb our energy and they feel how we feel. If we come into a space and we are not inspired, or we don’t feel nurtured or safe or comfortable.
That goes to our children, and they’re the people that we’re supporting for our future. How can that not be important?
So the whole theme of depletion. If the childcare early childhood educators are feeling depleted and arriving at work tired and depressed.
What kind of emotional environment is that creating for the children in the program?
And we all know that children regulate their stress through the adults in their lives right so that stress is contagious. It may be, we sometimes they say oh they don’t know they know they know they know they know they know babies, we know they know, since they’re in, you know, growing in mothers, they feel it all.
Yeah, yeah. I recall when I was my daughter was young and in daycare and I was working in childcare on the floor, and I was on the other side of town and I would hope that there would be traffic on the way home to get my daughter so I could have a moment for myself
to just reconnect, so I could be present for her when I got her. Who craves for traffic? But I’m like, if I could extend this commute a little bit longer so I’ve got a little bit more time for myself before I’m, you know, a little bit of self care.
Yeah, yeah, but you’re right, families are racing from one thing, one thing to the next and they don’t have much left. There’s a little segue to childcare design and what you just said.
Elaborate on that please Rory. When you see childcare designs where the parking drop off area is five feet from the door.
Uh huh.
And separate it. Allow the parent, force the parent to get out of the car.
Take a breath.
And take a breath and walk with their child.
So that parent is there to help transition the child from the home to their caregivers and taking that breath.
That is part of the nuance.
A light bulb went on.
I have to admit, I have to admit, I never thought about that perspective. You know, much as an advocate, as I am and have been lifelong, I so value you bringing up that very specific example, because that never, I have to admit, never occurred to me.
But that’s why you’re the experts, right? That’s why we need you.
Yes, yes, yes. And that is, I think, just the segue to our next question.
What excites you most about where your partnership is heading next and are there any new ideas or directions that you’re either currently exploring or planning to explore?
Big question.
Well, the world was our oyster, Rory.
Our world is our oyster.
So this one over here, this one over here calls me last week and said, guess what?
I entered us into a conference and we just were accepted. We’re going.
And I went, oh, OK, great, great. Where is it?
Arizona.
Arizona.
Wow.
Do you need a live podcast interview with me?
Take TCR on the road.
That’s amazing.
When is it?
When is it?
It’s in November next fall.
November of twenty twenty five. I would say that.
And I love that you brought that up.
But part of that what’s next for us is we have to get out there and share this story.
I mean, our our values alignment, the way that we both are navigating business in this very,
oh, gosh, unique yet interestingly unfair time is going to say it that way.
I’m combining my Australian and Canadian when I’m saying that to say, you know,
but at the end of the day, the more that we can get out there and communicate how important this work really is,
that quality is critical and that it does really matter at the end of the day that where it comes from,
what it’s made of, talked about materiality in the long run.
We talked about health and wellness educators, you know, obviously only having five days a year of sick leave,
which is just outrageous, that quality environments and spaces where they can live and breathe,
that are healthy and focus on well-being and focus on good design and on sustainability.
I mean, Rory and I are both B Corp certified companies,
which means that we often where we do put the people and the planet for profit every single day.
That’s important, but yet not truly appreciated.
So I think that, you know, for us, it’s getting out there sharing this work.
We cannot wait to celebrate when the new center opens.
I can’t wait to be there. Yeah. Oh, we will make sure that you’re there.
That would be amazing. But we’re open.
We want to hear from other people around what’s possible.
I am quite surprised that most people don’t know that quality modular systems can be an option in school districts,
not just for childcare, but for learning environments, for community homes, other ways.
I think the work that new quote is doing is deeply impactful, given what construction,
what the construction industry is facing around tariffs and being able to provide that in a much more meaningful way.
And for both of us, and please, Rory, you know, I can’t help it, but, you know,
both of us don’t do this work because of the buildings that we create or furniture that we make.
We want to see real change happen and we want to see that our daughters and the future,
you know, women of what’s happening here in British Columbia can see that if you have an idea or a dream,
it is possible to create it, but heck, please support what we’re doing.
That’s the future for us is that we need that support.
I think you nailed that one.
Nail, nail.
You know, we are in what people are calling a deficit environment, a deficit mindset.
And that means folks are going to have to whittle things down to just the basics.
So we’re all going to have to decide in our own ways where those lines are,
what are our bottom lines, and what are we not prepared to sacrifice.
The lines in the sand.
Sorry, Crystal?
The lines in the sand. Sorry, I just didn’t hear.
Yeah.
Love that you highlighted, I think you mentioned this in our first podcast, people and planet before profit.
To me, that’s just such a fundamental principle that we all need to focus on.
And sharing the story and getting out there and wonderful that you’ll be part of the Arizona conference
in the fall of 2025.
Maybe apres that, we’d have another opportunity to talk with you.
So we lead ourselves now to the final question,
which I think is also going to add to the getting out there that you’ve referenced.
So it says, finally, for those listening who want to get involved,
whether they’re educators, community leaders, policymakers,
what is your call to action and how can they become engaged and aligned with the work that you are both doing?
That’s a great question, Gita.
I would encourage everyone who’s listening, everyone in the sector, to become advocates themselves.
So join the child care coalition. I believe it’s $25 a year. It’s nothing.
Five coffees.
Five coffees.
You know, support $10 a day. Advocate. Give voices and lift voices around these issues.
You know, I alluded to perhaps a temporary, hopefully temporary blind spot right now in government
towards child care. Let’s get rid of that blind spot.
Let’s remind the people that we elected that child care was one of the main reasons why we chose them.
And hold them to promises. Make them make the tough decisions.
And walk the talk.
Walk the talk. If we are in a deficit environment, why are we funding private child care?
Hello.
With public dollars. Public dollars should lead to public assets on public land.
If you’re going to be cutting child care, perhaps we should stop funding private child care
and double down on our investments in public child care.
Put her on the radio big time.
Richard, anything to please add on?
I mean, how could I add any more to that, Rory?
I think that was beautifully said and highly communicated in a way that I hope the listeners today will hear.
Your voice matters.
So there are things that you can do. Don’t think that there’s nothing I can do.
I always believe in if you don’t ask, you don’t know. If you don’t share, people can’t hear your voice.
So get out there, whether it’s talking to your local government, signing up, getting active on social media,
talk to your community members, talk to other parents.
But share your concerns, share your challenges, and let’s make it a priority.
Whoa. Yeah, I just love how in terms of this final question, you went for the much bigger picture.
Become an advocate. Join the coalition. Support the extension of 10 a day.
Have your voice heard and known to your local MLAs and so on and so forth.
So we give a huge thanks to you both, Bridgitte and Rory, for being with us today
and continuing to lead with such vision and integrity.
It has been amazing to hear how your work is growing, how you’re both using business as a force for good
in the child care sector within strong, fundamental, democratic principles.
So a huge thanks to all we’ve learned again today. And over to Nora for some final words.
Thank you so much. This conversation has been great, as always.
It’s lovely to see you and be with you in your presses, talking about these important aspects of child care
and whether it’s navigating complex systems or building relationships in communities,
your commitment to putting children and families at the center is what makes this work so meaningful,
like when you were talking about the special sauce, right?
So thank you so much. We cannot say it enough.
And to our listeners, we’ll share the links with NUQO and Natural Pod in the show notes.
So we’ll link them to your websites, as always.
And if our listeners are looking for guidance, inspiration or potential collaboration in building new child care spaces,
we encourage you to connect with Bridgitte and Rory.
Thanks for tuning in into this live episode of This is Path to Universal Child Care.
And if you haven’t already, go back and listen to part one and be sure to follow the podcast for future conversations
as we continue exploring the pathways to a more inclusive and equitable child care system.
Until next time. Thank you so much again. Take care and keep imagining what’s possible.
