Early Childhood Programs

Childhood skills last a lifetime.

Young BIPOC child playing
Young child in playground with adult holding her hand
Three babies sitting in different high chairs smiling

The first six years of a child’s life is an important time for development. Our programs foster community partnerships to support healthy child development, from birth to age six and beyond.

Child Care

We offer a continuum of group licensed child care options for children birth to 12 years, including children and youth with special needs.

Child Care Resource and Referral

Resources and support to all childcare providers and families in the South Okanagan.

Early Years Support

A variety of quality services that enable children to reach their greatest potential.

Supported Child Developement

Assisting families of children who require extra support needs in order to access inclusive childcare that meets the family's needs.

FAQs

Some of the most common question we help answer can be found here – if you don’t find the answer you were looking for, please contact us directly!

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  • 0-3 Age child care: $1,000/month, -$350 fee reduction
  • 3-5 Age child care: $750/month, -$100 fee reduction
  • Preschool:
    • 2 days = $125/month
    • 3 days = $185/month
    • 5 days = $300/month
  • Before School Care: $150/month
  • After School Care: $300/month

For information about affordable child care benefits, including eligibility criteria, access to subsidy documents, including the Dynamic Fill and Print Subsidy Application, visit the Affordable Child Care Benefit website.

We are often asked what types of child care are available so we have put together this list to help break things down.

License-Not-Required (LNR) or Unlicensed: LNR providers can care for two children or a sibling group, not related to themselves by blood or marriage,
at any one time. You are solely responsible for supervising and monitoring the quality of care provided
in the LNR child care arrangement.

Registered License-Not-Required (RLNR): RLNR providers are registered with a Child Care Resource and Referral Program. They can care for 2 children or a sibling group, not related to themselves by blood or marriage, at any one time.

Licensed Family Child Care (LFCC): Family child care is offered in the child care providers own home and serves a maximum of 7 children from birth to age 12.

Licensed Group Child Care: Group child care serves children from 30 months to school entry, and/or children from birth to 36 months (Infant/Toddler).

School Age Child Care: Group child care (school age) serves school-age children, including kindergarten, who require care outside normal school hours.

Preschool: Preschools serve children from 30 months to school entry. Preschools are part-day programs, typically operating on the school-year, September to June.

Multi-Age Child Care: Multi-Age child care is similar to Group Care but serves children from birth to age 12.

In-Home Multi-Age Child Care: In-home Multi-Age care is offered in the child care providers own home and serves a maximum of 8 children from birth to age 12.

In Child’s Own Home: Care in the child’s own home.

Please contact us directly at our main office and we will direct you to the appropriate person.

  • Our Supported Child Development (SCD) Program supports children with special needs to fully participate in inclusive neighbourhood childcare programs.
  • SCD services reflect best practices in child development and are based on the philosophy of inclusion. This means that the activities of playing, learning and growing happen in a way in which all children feel they belong.
  • Please contact us for more information about supported child development services.

Waitlists vary from program to program. Please contact the program supervisor for wait list times.

Yes! Our After School Program in Penticton provides morning care and transportation to and from various schools.

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