From building a safer park to establishing child-friendly offices, several businesses and groups are making the world a better place for families with young children.
The second annual Early Years Awards breakfast was held April 13 at Kings Feast restaurant, inside the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
More than 100 business people, politicians and early childhood development supporters attended the event, hosted by Success By 6 Victoria, a provincially funded organization that supports early childhood development initiatives.
Awards recognized 10 community favourites, although there were 30 nominees this year. The public made their selections through a survey that circulated from January to mid-March.
"It truly illustrates that people care about children and are starting to recognize the importance of community in raising healthy children and maintaining strong families," wrote Jan White, Success By 6 program manager, in a press release.
The results recognize Beacon Hill Park as the favourite park and the Greater Victoria Public Library as the top free service or outing. Saanich Commonwealth Place was hailed as favourite community or recreation centre. In addition to several other categories, the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the District of Saanich tied for favourite family friendly employers.
emccracken@vicnews.com