Kaleidoscope: A New Vision for Childcare and Community in Mission

By Ellen Nguyen | Photos by Tristyn MacLeod

If you’ve recently driven down Tunbridge Avenue, you may have noticed a bright new building taking shape. You wouldn’t be alone in wondering what it is. That eye-catching structure is Kaleidoscope—a new childcare centre and the result of a groundbreaking partnership between the City of Mission, Mission Association for Community Living (MACL), the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), and Converge Construction.

But Kaleidoscope is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared vision for children and families.

Funded through the Province’s New Spaces initiative, the centre will be operated by MACL, an organization with decades of experience in inclusive, family-centered services. From the very beginning, this project has been about innovation, collaboration, and heart.

That spirit came to life in a recent partnership with UFV’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Students were invited to use Kaleidoscope as a real-world class project, developing design concepts for both the indoor learning environment and the outdoor play space. “The students were incredibly excited to take part,” says Dawn Hein, CEO at MACL. “They approached the opportunity with thoughtfulness, creativity, and a deep understanding of play-based, child-led learning. It was truly inspiring to see their ideas take shape.”

In class presentations, students shared mood boards, sketches, and storytelling elements that reflected the values of the BC Early Learning Framework. From cozy reading nooks to nature-inspired outdoor areas designed for exploration and discovery, their concepts showcased both innovation and inclusivity.

Supporting this hands-on experience was Lacey Construction, who went above and beyond by enabling UFV students access to the construction site by providing steel-toed boots and hi-vis vests from their lending library. Students were able to engage with the project firsthand—an experience rarely offered to those still in training.

“For our students, being part of the design process for a real, soon-to-open childcare centre is a gift,” says Kylee Cox, UFV ECE instructor. “It’s meaningful learning that connects curriculum to community in a powerful way.”

Kaleidoscope is expected to open in September 2025 and will provide quality, inclusive childcare to Mission families. But its impact is already being felt. It stands as a vibrant reminder that when public, nonprofit, educational, and private partners come together, they don’t just build spaces—they build futures.