British Columbia Newcomers' Guide
to Resources and Services

Childcare

In this chapter:

• Types of childcare
• Finding childcare
• Costs
• Extra support

Types of childcare

Parents who work or go to school may need someone to take care of their children. If you do not have a family member to take care of your children, several different kinds of childcare are available.

• Sometimes a caregiver takes care of children in the family's own home. This person may take care of your child all day or for a shorter time. Usually a caregiver who lives with the family is called a nanny.
• A family childcare home cares for babies and children. This kind of care is in the providers' home. You can take your child there every day.
• A childcare centre is often in a community centre, church or school. The workers have special training. Childcare centres are open all day. They take care of babies and children.
• A pre-school program provides learning activities and games for children for three hours a day or less. Pre-school programs are usually for children three to five years old.
• Out-of-school care is a program for school-age children at or near the school. It is before and after school and on school holidays. These programs are usually for children five to 12 years old.

Finding childcare

• There is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program in British Columbia for referrals to child care programs in your community. This program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and your municipality. In Vancouver, the number to call is 604 709-5699. Website: http://www.wstcoast.org (It is listed in the White Pages of the telephone book under "Information Daycare"). Call Enquiry B.C. (604 660-2421 in the Lower Mainland, 387-6121 in Victoria, and 1-800-663-7867 elsewhere in B.C.) to get the number of the agency in your area that has the referral information.
• If there is no Child Care Resource and Referral Program in your area, get a list of childcare centres and family childcare providers from the Health Department. Look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book, after the Government of British Columbia section, in the "Health Authorities" listings, for the address and telephone number of a Health Unit near you. Ask for the brochure called, Child Daycare: A Parent's Guide to Choosing–A Licence Not Required Arrangement.
• Look in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Day Care Centres" or "Pre-schools."
• Get advice from neighbours or immigrant settlement agencies.
• Look in the Classified Ads in the newspaper for caregivers, family childcare providers or child care centres.
• Look for ads on notice boards. Many places such as community centres, grocery stores and laundromats have notice boards.

You may need to talk with several people or visit many places to find childcare you like. You must make sure the child care you choose takes good care of your child. The Health Department of the provincial government checks childcare centres, out of school care, and licensed Family Childcare homes. The unlicensed day care providers registered with the Child Care Resource and Referral Program have had training and criminal checks.

Costs

Full-time childcare is expensive. The provincial government may pay for all or part of the cost for some low-income families. This is called a "daycare subsidy."

To apply for a daycare subsidy, call the Ministry of Human Resources for more information. Look in the Blue Pages of the telephone book, in the Government of British Columbia section, under "Human Resources – Ministry of." Call the "General Enquiries" number (in Vancouver the number is 604 660-3224) to find out which office handles subsidy applications in your area.

You can claim some of the money you spent on childcare on your income tax return. You will need your receipts and your babysitter's Social Insurance Number.

Learning English at pre-school

Young children learn English easily. Special pre-school programs can help children learn English before they start school. To find out if there is an English as a Second Language (ESL) pre-school program in your area, talk to an immigrant settlement agency.

Children who need extra support

Some children need extra special care so they can attend childcare. They may have a physical disability or a learning problem. Call the Information Daycare number in your area to find out which daycare facilities can give your child the extra support they need.

Starting your own Childcare Program

What if you want to care for children? You need a licence to care for more than two children that are not your own. You do not need a licence for two children or less. Call the "Information Daycare" number, or the "Child Care Resource and Referral Program" number, or a Health Unit in your area for more information.

Go to next page: Chapter 11, Education

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