Featured in Castanet | November 11, 2026 | Kids & Company takes over Kelowna daycares following closures, financial troubles – Castanet.net
A struggling Central Okanagan daycare group is being taken over by a national chain, providing families and staff some stability after years of turmoil.
Two former Produckidvity locations in Kelowna, located on Leon and Sutherland avenues, have been acquired by Kids & Company, which operates more than 100 childcare centres across Canada.
“The Okanagan is a wonderful and growing community, and we see a tremendous opportunity to support local families by providing high-quality early childhood education and care,” said Victoria Sopik, CEO and co-founder of Kids & Company.
Produckidvity has been in the news plenty over the past few years, most recently in May after it was evicted from its location at the Bernard Block tower in downtown Kelowna, leaving families scrambling. In the months that followed, daycare workers missed paycheques and families impacted by the sudden closure were left waiting for refunds.
Produckidvity angered parents years earlier with sudden rate increases and its management of the purchase of its Sutherland campus in 2023. It was one of the largest private childcare providers in the city.
Sopik said they are going to strive to make the transition for Produckidvity families as smooth as possible.
“We recognize how important consistency and stability are for children, parents and educators,” Sopik said.
Kids and Company will not be taking over Produckidvity’s West Kelowna location. A notice posted to Produckidvity’s website says that location has always been separately owned and operated under a licensing agreement. It is now operating under the new brand Era Early Learning.
“Caring for Kelowna’s children and being part of so many families’ lives has been a true privilege. Thank you for your trust, your support and your community. We can’t wait to see what comes next,” said a note online from Produckidvity’s leadership team.
Kids and Company already has a presence in West Kelowna. In September, the firm purchased the 73-seat Pebbles and Pathways daycare on Brown Road while retaining its staff and families.
Sopik said they hope to add more Kids and Company locations in the Okanagan in the year ahead. The company’s programs combine “play-based learning with educational experiences that encourage creativity, independence, and social development.”
“We believe that exceptional child care begins with exceptional educators, and we are committed to creating warm, nurturing environments where educators and children alike feel safe and supported,” she said.
Sopik added they are also planning on bringing their “family caregiving solutions” to employers in the region.
“Offered as an employee benefit, these solutions range from backup care when regular arrangements fall through — available at our centres or at home, to elder care for employees supporting aging parents. They help teams show up fully at work, knowing their loved ones are well cared for.”
While the crunch for daycare spaces in the Okanagan has eased for children over the age of three, there remains a major shortage of spaces for younger children as well as after-school care. Wait lists for infant care can be years long.
Originally reported by Castanet | Colin Dacre
