Finding Childcare

by Kayla Creron • Childhood Connections

As a mom of a two-year-old, and new to the during this process, reach out to us at Childhood Kelowna community, I understand first-hand Connections, Child Care Resource & Referral the challenge and importance of finding quality Program (CCRR) and we’ll be happy to support and affordable childcare in our community. you. Funding for the CCRR is provided by the At first, starting my childcare search felt very Province of British Columbia. overwhelming, especially as currently there are And if you’re needing some childcare in the very few childcare options available to families meantime to support you while searching for in our community and I found myself on multiple your preferred program or until a space opens in wait lists. But having a good understanding of what that program, we have recently created a flexible, my family’s needs and values are for childcare helped drop-in childcare program and we’re here to provide us start this journey off on the right path. And once you with some gap childcare until you find your full-you have selected your preferred childcare program, we time space. strongly encourage families to be patient and to continue to check in regularly with the childcare program administrator to see if there is any movement on the wait list. Kayla Creron, CCRR Program Coordinator, Childhood Connections 250-762-3536 kaylac@childhoodconnections.ca www.childhoodconnections.ca There are a variety of childcare options available for families from small Funding for the CCRR is provided by the Province of British Columbia . in-home programs to large group childcare programs. And what might work for your neighbour or friend, might not be the best fit for your family. So, we encourage you to take the time with your family to list out what is important for you and your child when looking for childcare. Here are some helpful questions to ask when looking into different childcare settings:

l i st what is important to you f or c h i l d car e

• Is the program Licensed or Registered License Not Required? (Please look up the childcare program you choose and review their Interior Health Licensing Inspection Report: Inspection Reports/Illegal Operators | Community Care Homes | IH (interiorhealth.ca). • What is the monthly cost of the program? • What are the hours of the program? • Is there a wait list fee? Will this be returned if you don’t get access to a space in this program? • Does the program qualify for childcare subsidy (Affordable Child Care Benefits - ACCB)? • What is the size of the program? And how many children will be in your child’s programming room? • What are the ages of the children in the program/room? • Is the program close to your home and/or work? • What types of activities does the program facilitate daily? • What outdoor spaces does the program access? • What is the program’s child development philosophy? • Does the program allow for any screen-time?

Some childcare programs may also have different services including providing some or all the meals, field trips and guest educators specializing in different child development areas (i.e., children’s yoga/ meditation, music, dance and art). Once you have taken the time to narrow down some of your values when looking for childcare, it can be easier to start your search. This will be the most important research you’ve probably conducted to date - finding a childcare space that will provide the best quality care, attention and developmental support to your child! So please at any time