Children and childcare in Vancouver

Licensing, funding, and subsidizing childcare is the role of the provincial government.

However, the City, working with our partners, plays a role in planning, coordinating, and advocating for childcare and early learning programs.

Recognizing that childcare is a public amenity intended primarily to support working families, Council and staff:

Partner with non-profit organizations to deliver quality, affordable, and accessible childcare
Facilitate the development of infrastructure to support integrated childcare services, including licensed group care and other family support services
Use financial tools to leverage facilities and land, and offset some operating costs
Encourage senior governments to uphold their responsibility for childcare

How the City is strengthening childcare and early childhood education

Vancouver's childcare approach

Council recognizes that accessible, affordable childcare is essential to the health and well-being of Vancouver's children and families, and has endorsed an Early Care and Learning plan that offers a concrete, innovative, and ambitious way to care for our children.

Resources for childcare providers

Developing a childcare centre

The City helps create high quality, licensed childcare facilities throughout Vancouver, by working with developers, architects, landscape architects, and early childhood educators. Get the City's guidelines and best practices, and apply for available grants.

Child development resources

To help you establish a high-quality licensed daycare facility - and provide care that promotes healthy childhood development - City staff have gathered a number of useful resources.

Caring for your family

Getting childcare

Making sure every parent and guardian in Vancouver has access to quality, affordable childcare is a City priority. Find out how to locate childcare in your area, and get added to waiting lists.

Healthy children

Get free information, tools, and resources to help you raise happy, healthy, and active children.

Children and the environment

Encourage climate protection early and help raise active, healthy, and aware children. Get links to programs and resources for teachers and parents, and fun interactive activities for children.