Stable daily routine for families
Reliable childcare helps parents keep a predictable schedule for work, school, and appointments.
Childcare essentials for newcomer families
Find suitable childcare, understand support programs, and prepare documents early so your family schedule stays stable.
Why this matters
Supports work and study continuity
Childcare access directly affects job retention, class attendance, and long-term settlement progress.
Early learning and social development
Quality programs support language, social skills, and school readiness for young children.
Costs and benefits require planning
Fees can vary widely, so subsidy programs and tax-related supports should be checked early.
Core setup paths
Find the right care type
Compare licensed childcare options based on your child’s age, schedule, and commute.
- Compare group care, family childcare, and preschool options near home or work.
- Join waitlists early and ask about transition periods and flexible pickup times.
- Review operating hours, closure days, and communication language with staff.
Costs, subsidy, and tax supports
Plan monthly childcare costs with provincial benefits and federal supports.
- Check eligibility for BC Affordable Child Care Benefit and related provincial programs.
- Confirm what fees are included (meals, supplies, late pickup, registration).
- Track receipts for tax filing, including child care expense deduction planning.
Enrollment and readiness
Prepare key documents and routines to make first-day adjustment smoother.
- Prepare immunization records, emergency contacts, allergy and medical information.
- Share pickup authorization and custody information clearly with the centre.
- Create a gradual adaptation plan for your child’s first 1 to 2 weeks.
Daycare Finder
Filter official childcare resources by city, service type, and age group to find your next step faster.
BC childcare services overview
Official provincial information for childcare options, policy updates, and parent guidance.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Program search
Age focus
Open siteInfant and toddlerPreschoolSchool-ageParent support
ChildCareBC programs
Learn about major BC childcare initiatives and available service pathways.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Program searchSubsidy and benefits
Age focus
Open siteParent support
Affordable Child Care Benefit (BC)
Check eligibility and details for childcare fee support in British Columbia.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Subsidy and benefits
Age focus
Open siteParent support
BC childcare benefit application portal
Submit or manage childcare benefit applications and updates online.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Subsidy and benefits
Age focus
Open siteParent support
BC early learning information
Overview of early learning programs and supports for young children in BC.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Program searchEarly learning
Age focus
Open sitePreschoolSchool-ageParent support
StrongStart BC
Free early learning program information for young children and caregivers.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Early learningReferral and support
Age focus
Open sitePreschoolParent support
Canada early learning and child care
Federal overview of early learning and childcare policy and program context.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Program search
Age focus
Open siteParent support
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Official information for monthly child benefit eligibility and payment details.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Subsidy and benefits
Age focus
Open siteParent support
Child care expenses deduction
CRA guidance on claiming eligible childcare expenses during tax filing.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Subsidy and benefits
Age focus
Open siteParent support
BC 211 service directory
Find local family, childcare, and community support services by location.
Coverage
Province-wide (BC)
Services
Program searchReferral and support
Age focus
Infant and toddlerPreschoolSchool-ageParent support
Phone: 2-1-1
Open siteVCH childcare facility licensing
Licensing-related information for childcare facilities in Vancouver Coastal region.
Coverage
VancouverRichmondNorth Shore
Services
Licensing and inspections
Age focus
Open siteInfant and toddlerPreschoolSchool-ageParent support
K-12 Public & Private School Rankings
Vancouver-focused featured schools from Fraser Institute reports (British Columbia). Use this as a shortlist, then compare catchment area, admissions, and programs.
Elementary (K-7)
Featured schools in and around Vancouver
Public Schools
RankSchoolCityScore
- #41Ecole Pauline JohnsonWest Vancouver9.5
- #49CaulfeildWest Vancouver9.3
- #49Archibald BlairRichmond9.3
- #58West BayWest Vancouver9.2
- #58Jessie WowkRichmond9.2
Private Schools
RankSchoolCityScore
- #1Corpus ChristiVancouver10.0
- #1Crofton HouseVancouver10.0
- #1St George'sVancouver10.0
- #1St Jude'sVancouver10.0
- #1York HouseVancouver10.0
Secondary (8-12)
Featured schools in and around Vancouver
Public Schools
RankSchoolCityScore
- #17CarihiCampbell River8.6
- #20Dr. Charles BestCoquitlam8.5
- #21Lord ByngVancouver8.4
- #25Grand ForksGrand Forks8.2
- #27Hugh McRobertsRichmond8.1
Private Schools
RankSchoolCityScore
- #1Crofton HouseVancouver10.0
- #1Little FlowerVancouver10.0
- #1SouthridgeSurrey10.0
- #1West Point GreyVancouver10.0
- #5Richmond ChristianRichmond9.9
Useful sites and official resources
Use trusted childcare and family-support resources for program search, subsidy applications, and enrollment preparation.
BC childcare services overview
Official provincial information for childcare options, policy updates, and parent guidance.
Visit siteChildCareBC programs
Learn about major BC childcare initiatives and available service pathways.
Visit siteAffordable Child Care Benefit (BC)
Check eligibility and details for childcare fee support in British Columbia.
Visit siteBC childcare benefit application portal
Submit or manage childcare benefit applications and updates online.
Visit siteBC early learning information
Overview of early learning programs and supports for young children in BC.
Visit siteStrongStart BC
Free early learning program information for young children and caregivers.
Visit siteCanada early learning and child care
Federal overview of early learning and childcare policy and program context.
Visit siteCanada Child Benefit (CCB)
Official information for monthly child benefit eligibility and payment details.
Visit siteChild care expenses deduction
CRA guidance on claiming eligible childcare expenses during tax filing.
Visit siteBC 211 service directory
Find local family, childcare, and community support services by location.
Visit siteVCH childcare facility licensing
Licensing-related information for childcare facilities in Vancouver Coastal region.
Visit siteKey links verified on February 6, 2026 from official BC and federal family/childcare resources.
First-month childcare plan
- Define required care hours first, then shortlist nearby licensed options and waitlists.
- Check subsidy and benefit eligibility early and prepare application documents.
- Complete orientation and emergency paperwork before your child’s first day.
What to prepare
- Parent/guardian ID, address proof, and child identity documents
- Immunization records, allergies, medication, and emergency contacts
- Pickup authorization list and backup caregiver contacts
- Monthly budget, fee schedule, and subsidy/tax document folder
Need local childcare navigation help?
Settlement agencies and family resource centres can help compare programs and complete subsidy-related paperwork.