OneSky Community Resources
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR)
OneSky Community Resources
Our program offers quality child care referral, resources and support to all child care providers and families in the South Okanagan communities of Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Kaleden, OK Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Cawston, Hedley, Olalla and Apex.
We recognize that:
Child Care Resource and Referral provides free services to support families with young children. Our services include:
Research has confirmed that one of the key elements in quality child care is the child care provider, so choosing a provider who has your child’s best interest at heart, is vital. Look for providers who are warm, caring and attentive to children’s individual needs (Galinsky & Phillips, 1998). The provider should be culturally sensitive and accepting of differences. The provider should use positive discipline that teaches rather than punishes. The provider should spend time interacting and responding to the children, celebrating successes, building confidence and nurturing their self esteem.
Another key element is the environment. It should be safe, clean, comfortable and have some organized activity areas. There should be enough toys, activities, materials and equipment available and they need to be developmentally appropriate for all children. The environment needs space for resting, space for quiet and active play, as well as the opportunity for regular outdoor play.
Child Care Resource and Referral programs can only provide you with referrals. We do not give out recommendations. The referrals are based on the information that you give to us which includes, your name, the community you are looking for child care in, the ages of your children, whether you require full or part time care, and, if you have a school age child, the name of the school. We then match it up to the information that is given to us by the child care providers.
Child Care Resource and Referral programs cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information nor the quality of child care. Once you have received the list of referrals you will want to conduct research of your own. See our page under the Parents and Families section on How to Evaluate & Choose a Child Care Provider. As well, you will find more information in the booklet “A Parent’s Guide to Selecting Child Care” which provides you with helpful information and checklists regarding choosing child care that is right for you and your child.
Child care fees pay for a service. Like all costs for service, fees charged are designed to cover the expenses incurred to provide all the ingredients to produce the service. The business of child care must include the following expenses:
Funding is available to help pay for child care costs through the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
CCRR provides assistance with Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) applications, including free printing services, access to phone and computer for ACCB related business and free faxing of ACCB documents.
For more information about Affordable Child Care Benefit, including eligibility criteria, access to ACCB documents, including the ACCB Online Application, visit the Affordable Child Care Benefit website.
You can also call the ACCB Service Centre at 1-888-338-6622
If you require assistance with filling out the application, you may drop in, or for more efficient service, make an appointment by calling us at 250-492-2926 or emailing carrie.reiter@oneskycommunity.com.
CCRR membership are free and open to child care providers, community partners and parents. Annual membership includes:
Our lending library consists of toys, equipment, videos, and books which can be borrowed if you are a CCRR Member. We also have art supplies available for purchase. (Click here to see price list).
Toys and equipment can be borrowed for one month at a time.
Contact our office at 250-492-2926 to learn more about becoming a member.
*Please note: Parent Members are not permitted to borrow Infant/Toddler Equipment (Strollers, High Chairs, etc.). These items are reserved for use by child care providers.
Penticton CCRR offers training opportunities to enhance the quality of child care in our community. Training is available to all CCRR members in good standing. Opportunities include:
First Aid training is available through the following local organizations. Please note participants are responsible for ensuring that the course they choose meets the requirements under Schedule C of the Child Care Licensing Regulation.
Course Name: Emergency Child Care First Aid with CPR-B
Course Name: Emergency First Aid – Community Care
