Saanich Neighbourhood Place (SNP) is a non-profit organization that delivers a wide range of programming aimed at helping families access resources and supports they feel they need, in a barrier free environment and within their own neighbourhoods.
The development of SNP was truly a grass roots phenomenon. Parents from the neighbourhood, concerned citizens, Saanich Recreation, Saanich Kiwanis and Capital Families Association worked cooperatively to foster the support for a neighbourhood house in the Western Saanich area.
Opened in January 1993 as “Western Saanich Community Place” in the upstairs lounge of Pearkes Recreation Centre. The program and the funding from the Ministry of Social Services were administered by Capital Families Association. In December 1996 a new society was formed – Saanich Neighbourhood Place. The Board of Directors was composed of parents and community supporters. July 1st 1996 the new society officially took over the responsibility of administering the organization.
Programs ranging from parenting classes to cooking classes, drop in support sessions, prenatal discussion groups, postpartum groups, drop in playgroups and kinder-gym are offered weekly. SNP also has a dedicated Family Development team, available for those who may wish for more specific, private support options.
Full o’Beans Preschool, operating since September 2013, is one of the programs for families and children at SNP. Our mission is to provide high quality, accessible early learning and care experiences in a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 3 to 5 years old.
In February 2016, SNP was awarded the designation of “Early Years Centre” by the Provincial Office for the Early Years, joining a network of 46 other Early Years Centres in British Columbia. Early Years Centres offer families with young children under the age of six with a range of early years supports, information, and programs in a more streamlined and holistic way. The Victoria Early Years Centre worked to collaborate across sectors to improve and coordinate early years service delivery within the geographical region of the Greater Victoria School District (SD61). At the end of March 2019, the Provincial Office for the Early Years removed the “Early Years Centre” designation from centres across BC, including Saanich Neighbourhood Place. SNP continues to provide the same services and programs as it did under the designation.