Contact the YMCA Child Care Resource and Referral program in your area and speak with an Information and Referral Consultant. We are here to help you choose a child care arrangement that best suits your family. There are some useful pamphlets and information sheets available to assist you in evaluating different child care programs and making an informed choice on the childcare you require for your family. This information can be emailed or mailed to you. Our program can provide referrals from our list of licensed family child care and group child facilities and our registry of screened Licence Not Required (LNR) family childcare providers. Child care referrals can be based on specific family needs.  

When contacting providers you can use the Sample Interview Questions located on this Website. The information sheets may help with the assessment of the child care options in the facilities where there is space available. The next step is to contact your selected list of providers and arrange for an interview with the caregiver or an opportunity to drop by and observe the program. In addition, you may call the CCRR if you have any further questions.

There is no cost to access the YMCA CCRR referral services. An Information and Referral Consultant will be happy to answer child care related questions and conduct a referral data base search on your behalf.

By law, in British Columbia an individual can care for up to two children not related to them by blood or marriage without obtaining a licence. Individuals who wish to provide care to more than two children (in addition to their own) must become licensed with their local health authority. Licensed child care is monitored by licensing officers and must meet the requirements of provincial child care regulations. Licence Not Required child care providers have the option of registering with their local child care resource and referral (CCRR).   Criteria for registration with a CCRR includes training requirements (including first aid), criminal record checks, home safety assessments and bi-annual visits by a CCRR Consultant.

The role of the CCRR is not only to provide parents with child care referrals, rather, it is to offer you information that will help you make the best choice for your family. You have access to information such as:

Each family is unique. Therefore, we cannot presume what will be the best fit for you. Given accurate and useful information, it is our belief that you will have an understanding of quality child care and will be able to set priorities for the arrangement that best suits your family. As you embark on your child care search, the CCRR is happy to answer any questions you encounter. Just give us a call.  

Child care costs vary from facility to facility depending on the type of care or program offered, age of the child, experience and qualifications of the provider, and the competitive market in the area. Full-time fees for a preschool age child can range from $100-184 per week. Our referral database can provide the fees for some facilities that are members with our program and have provided this information to us.

The government child care subsidy program helps low and moderate income families to pay for child care. Payments, called subsidies, are available for both full-day and part-day services, in licensed or licence not required child care settings.

You may be eligible for a child care subsidy if you:

For more information on the subsidy program, please contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development at 1-888-338-6622, or your local Child Care Resource and Referral office.