By the SILA Childcare team. Updated .
Start early
Spaces for children under 36 months are in high demand in many BC communities, and many centres keep waitlists. Lots of parents start looking during pregnancy or early in parental leave. Most centres, including SILA, let you join a waitlist with your expected due date.
Know the main types of care
- Licensed group child care (under 36 months): care for babies and toddlers in a centre, licensed and inspected by the local health authority. On the North Shore that is Vancouver Coastal Health.
- Licensed family child care: care for a small group of children in the provider's own home, also licensed and inspected.
- Licence-not-required and in-home care: care by a nanny or by a provider looking after a small number of children who does not need a licence.
In licensed group care for children under 36 months, BC's Child Care Licensing Regulation requires at least one staff member for every four children, including a certified Infant and Toddler Educator with each group, and limits groups to 12 children.
Where to search
- The BC child care map lists licensed providers and shows which ones take part in provincial fee programs.
- Your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) centre offers free help finding care. The North Shore CCRR serves North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
- Ask other parents: neighbours, friends, and local parent groups often know which centres are opening or have space coming up.
Check a centre before you commit
Vancouver Coastal Health publishes inspection reports for licensed child care facilities on the North Shore. A report shows whether a centre met the licensing rules on the day of the inspection. It is a useful check, but it is not the whole picture, so visit in person too. Our daycare tour checklist lists questions to ask.
Join more than one waitlist
Joining several waitlists gives you more options. Keep a simple list of each centre, the date you joined and any fees or deposits, and check in every few months to confirm you are still on the list.
Plan for costs
Many BC families can get help with child care costs. Read our guide to the Affordable Child Care Benefit, and ask each centre whether it takes part in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative.
About SILA
SILA Childcare is a new group child care centre in Lower Lonsdale with an infant and toddler program for children under 36 months. You can join our waitlist before your baby is born.