Child Care Referrals
CCRR consultants are available to assist families in your search for child care. We can help you find child care arrangements that best suit your family. We can also answer any questions you may have and provide you with valuable information to help you negotiate your child care decisions. Drop by our Sechelt or Gibsons office anytime during operating hours or phone 604-885-5657 or 604-886-3103.
Some useful resources to assist you in your search:
Parents Guide to Selecting and Monitoring Child Care in BC. This Provincial publication is a useful aid in your search for child care.
Click here for the CCRR Child Care Directory. A list of all child care providers on the Sunshine Coast.
Click here to view the Child Care Map (an online resource to assist you in searching for child care in your community).
Choosing child care is often one of the most important decisions parents of young children have to make. Research has confirmed that positive early experiences make a significant difference in children’s development. At birth, babies’ brains are remarkably unfinished. During the first few years of life the brain undergoes growth at a phenomenal rate. Early care and nurturing have a long-lasting influence on children’s brain development, their ability to learn and their development of social and emotional competencies. High quality nurturing environments not only promote optimal development, but also provide the foundation for later learning in school and beyond.
The interplay between children’s environments and experiences and their growth and development underscores the importance of choosing quality child care. Children who are cared for by warm, responsive care givers and who have opportunities for a wide variety of creative play experiences have a greater likelihood of positive outcomes throughout their entire lives.
What Does Quality Child Care Look Like?
A quality child care arrangement has care providers who nurture children’s development and provide an environment that:
Types of Child Care
Licenced Child Care Options
1. Group Child Care: Serves children from 30 months to school entry (grade one). Maximum size is 25 children
2. Group Child Care (Infant Toddler Care): serves children from birth to 36 months. Maximum size is 12 children.
3. Group Child Care (School Age): serves children (including kindergarten) who require care outside of normal hours.
4. Preschool: a part day program up to four hours. Serves children from 30 months to school entry (grade one). Typically operates during the school year. Maximum size is 20 children.
5. Licensed Family Child Care: Provided by the operator in their own home. Serves children from birth to 12 years. Maximum size is 7 (with age restrictions).
6. In-Home Multi Age Child Care: similar to Licensed Family Child Care; care is provided by the operator in their own home. Care Provider must have Early Childhood Educator certification. Serves children from birth to 12 years. Maximum size is 8 (with age restrictions).
7. Multi-Age Child Care: similar to group child care but serves children from birth to 12 years.
8. Occasional Child Care: care is provided on a part time or occasional basis only. (A maximum of 40 hours per month with no more than 8 hours per day. Serves children from 18 months and up. Maximum size is 16 if children under 36 months are present and 20 if no children under 36 months are present.
Unlicensed Child Care Options
1. Licence Not Required Child Care (LNR): Provided by the operator and located in the care provider’s own home. Care may only be provided to two children or a sibling group, of any age who are not related to the caregiver.
2. Registered Licence Not Required Child Care (RLNR): Provided by the operator and located in the care provider’s own home. Care may only be provided to two children or a sibling group, of any age who are not related to the caregiver. A child care provider who is registered has met health and safety requirements, and must continue to meet all requirements with their local CCRR program. Being an RLNR also means that families who attend the program are eligible to receive an enhanced Subsidy rate which is higher than what an LNR would receive.
3. In Child’s Own Home: This type of care is where you arrange for someone to look after your child in your own home. An in-own-home care provider may be called a nanny, an au pair or a babysitter. Parents using in-own home care are considered employers and must make both Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan Payments and should contact both Canada Revenue Agency and the Worker’s Compensation Board to find out more about obligations as an employer.
Some useful resources to assist you in your search:
Parents Guide to Selecting and Monitoring Child Care in BC. This Provincial publication is a useful aid in your search for child care.
Click here for the CCRR Child Care Directory. A list of all child care providers on the Sunshine Coast.
Click here to view the Child Care Map (an online resource to assist you in searching for child care in your community).
Choosing child care is often one of the most important decisions parents of young children have to make. Research has confirmed that positive early experiences make a significant difference in children’s development. At birth, babies’ brains are remarkably unfinished. During the first few years of life the brain undergoes growth at a phenomenal rate. Early care and nurturing have a long-lasting influence on children’s brain development, their ability to learn and their development of social and emotional competencies. High quality nurturing environments not only promote optimal development, but also provide the foundation for later learning in school and beyond.
The interplay between children’s environments and experiences and their growth and development underscores the importance of choosing quality child care. Children who are cared for by warm, responsive care givers and who have opportunities for a wide variety of creative play experiences have a greater likelihood of positive outcomes throughout their entire lives.
What Does Quality Child Care Look Like?
A quality child care arrangement has care providers who nurture children’s development and provide an environment that:
- Has a happy, relaxed atmosphere
- Ensures children are well supervised, safe, and secure
- Demonstrates positive behaviour guidance
- Is well planned and inviting
- Promotes children’s self-esteem and independence
- Offers age-appropriate stimulating activities that help children learn and grow
- Is clean, healthy and comfortable
- Has a quiet place for rest or sleep
- Offers a range of books, creative materials, toys and both indoor and outdoor play areas
- Encourages parents to become involved in their children’s care
Types of Child Care
Licenced Child Care Options
1. Group Child Care: Serves children from 30 months to school entry (grade one). Maximum size is 25 children
2. Group Child Care (Infant Toddler Care): serves children from birth to 36 months. Maximum size is 12 children.
3. Group Child Care (School Age): serves children (including kindergarten) who require care outside of normal hours.
4. Preschool: a part day program up to four hours. Serves children from 30 months to school entry (grade one). Typically operates during the school year. Maximum size is 20 children.
5. Licensed Family Child Care: Provided by the operator in their own home. Serves children from birth to 12 years. Maximum size is 7 (with age restrictions).
6. In-Home Multi Age Child Care: similar to Licensed Family Child Care; care is provided by the operator in their own home. Care Provider must have Early Childhood Educator certification. Serves children from birth to 12 years. Maximum size is 8 (with age restrictions).
7. Multi-Age Child Care: similar to group child care but serves children from birth to 12 years.
8. Occasional Child Care: care is provided on a part time or occasional basis only. (A maximum of 40 hours per month with no more than 8 hours per day. Serves children from 18 months and up. Maximum size is 16 if children under 36 months are present and 20 if no children under 36 months are present.
Unlicensed Child Care Options
1. Licence Not Required Child Care (LNR): Provided by the operator and located in the care provider’s own home. Care may only be provided to two children or a sibling group, of any age who are not related to the caregiver.
2. Registered Licence Not Required Child Care (RLNR): Provided by the operator and located in the care provider’s own home. Care may only be provided to two children or a sibling group, of any age who are not related to the caregiver. A child care provider who is registered has met health and safety requirements, and must continue to meet all requirements with their local CCRR program. Being an RLNR also means that families who attend the program are eligible to receive an enhanced Subsidy rate which is higher than what an LNR would receive.
3. In Child’s Own Home: This type of care is where you arrange for someone to look after your child in your own home. An in-own-home care provider may be called a nanny, an au pair or a babysitter. Parents using in-own home care are considered employers and must make both Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan Payments and should contact both Canada Revenue Agency and the Worker’s Compensation Board to find out more about obligations as an employer.
