VIDEO: Provincial government yanks funding for Kelowna-based childcare organization

The provincial government is pulling core funding from an organization which has guided childcare in Kelowna for 40 years.

Childhood Connections now faces possible closure.

Executive Director Tim Ropchan said the organization was shocked by the decision to hand over its responsibilities to the YMCA instead.

"We haven't received any explanation," said Ropchan.

"We haven't had anyone come down here to see the services that we offer to actually witness it in person and this decision was made."

The organization helps daycare services get established, it helps families find appropriate daycare, it offers drop-in daycare, a toy library, a kitchen and more.

The $2 million, three-year contract that's been lost represents about two-thirds of Childhood Connections revenue.

"That's hard to turn around in a short amount of time," said Ropchan. "Our funding runs out March 31."

Daycare operator Jennifer Swarczynski said the decision came without warning and without reason.

"It doesn't make sense," she said. "To re-spend all that's been built here."

When asked about the change, the Ministry of Education said contracts are awarded through a competitive process consistent with government-wide best practices.

"As a result of the procurement process," a ministry statement reads, "service providers may change but the services themselves will continue to be offered."

The ministry suggests the reasons for the decision may come later.

"Once all contracts have been signed, respondents will be able to ask questions and ask for feedback on their submission," reads the explanation provided.

Also puzzling for Childhood Connections is that it comes after a recent government-funded expansion into its current facility.

"This is a half-a-million-dollar investment," said Ropchan.

Now all he can hope for is some kind of reprieve.

"We would love the opportunity to continue to run these services in some capacity," he said.

The ministry statement said it's part of a plan that will see an expansion of services around the province.

"We are expecting to see around 15 more physical locations in more communities than there currently are throughout the province," reads the statement.

Childhood Connections funding runs out as of March 31.