Childcare in BC comes in a variety of styles, price brackets and settings. The best place to start for local listings of child care providers is at the Ministry of Children and Family Development website www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare - under the childcare section you will find a tool to locate your local Childcare Resource and Referral Program. The Child Care Resource and Referral Programs provide information and referral services for child care providers and parents in all communities in the province. From there you will find out what offerings are in your specific community – parent and tot programs, library story times, nurseries, childminders (home daycare), pre-schools and so on. Communities across the province also offer a free program for parents and their children called Strong Start. It is for children from birth to 5years old and offers play group style sessions run by qualified Early Childhood Educators and they are usually located within school buildings. The Ministry of Children and Family Development site above also has a Child Care Search tool to locate establishments in your area.
Childcare establishments have to meet varying regulatory standards depending on the size and style of their operation. A non-licensed home daycare for example, may only look after 2 children in addition to those in their own family. However, the regulation they must adhere to is virtually zero compared to a registered childminder looking after children in their own home in the UK. In all childcare decisions it is essential that you visit the premises and thoroughly inspect all areas that are accessible to the children. Ask plenty of questions to fully understand the routines they follow and the style of care and discipline they will use. If they offer structured educational programs take time to understand the curriculum they offer. Ultimately, do your research, follow up on references and do not be afraid to walk away if you are not 100% satisfied that your child will be safe and happy in their care.
Unlike the UK there is currently no subsidized pre-school program offered in BC so if you would like your child to attend pre-school in preparation for entry to Kindergarten then you will have to fund it yourself. There are a number of educational styles and philosophies offered across the province such as Waldorf, Wind & Tide, Montessori, or non-specific local authority and privately run centers.