How It Works
Drop-in Childcare
As a licensed Occasional Childcare provider in BC, we offer flexible, reliable, high-quality childcare that fills in gaps and supports families when they need it.
- Maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per month
- For children ages 18-months to Grade 1 entry
- Licensed and insured
How to Register Your Child
Step 1
Fill out our online application form and we will get in touch to book your Family Orientation session.
Step 2
Your orientation tour will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Please bring your child(ren) with you so that we have a chance to meet and they can get familiar with our space.
Step 3
Complete our required registration forms and documents. Please bring them to the Centre in-person or send them via email to childcare@childhoodconnections.ca.
Step 4
Once your child’s registration has been processed, you will be emailed access to your online account for convenient booking and payment.
How to Book Hours of Care
Purchasing Hours
Begin by logging in to your account.
Go to the Packages tab in your Family Account.
Using the dropdown menus, select your child’s name and the month you would like to purchase hours for.
Click Add Package to Cart
Mix and match Packages to get the exact number of hours your family needs.
Click Purchase and add your payment details to complete payment.
Booking Hours
Begin by logging in to your account.
Go to the Booking tab in your Family Account.
Click the date you would like to book in for.
Select the hours of care you need.
Click the Book button near the top of the page.
Please note; All booking reservations are by the hour, on the hour and include a 10-minute grace period on either end for drop off and pick up. Please schedule accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Questions
Do you offer full-time childcare?
No. Your child may only attend for a maximum of 40 hours per calendar month and a maximum of 8 hours per day, as per BC Child Care Licensing Regulations.
How much does it cost?
We offer 2 options for families. Membership is required and allows you to purchase and use up to 40 hours of care per calendar month and reserve or cancel booking reservations with as little as 1 hour’s notice or up to 3 months in advance.
Regular Membership
Our Drop-In Childcare Program features a single membership fee and is charged on the 1st of every month. The hourly rate is based on the child’s age category.
- Monthly membership fee: $30/month
- Children aged 18 months to 3 years: $17.00/hour
- Children aged 3 to 5 years: $15.00/hour
Bulk Hour Discounts
We are thrilled to offer discounted packages for hours purchased in bulk! This option provides families with the opportunity to save on childcare costs. Please note that these bulk hours must be utilized within two months of purchase, offering families the flexibility to plan and use them as needed. To learn more, please contact our Coordinator at childcare@childhoodconnections.ca.
What ages of children do you accept?
We welcome children aged from 18-months to grade one-entry (approximately 6-years-old).
What are your hours?
Monday-Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 12 noon
Extended hours of care may be available upon request!
I need childcare ASAP. Can I drop my child off with you?
Are you already a member? If you are unable to book online, please give us a call at 250-762-3536 ext. 5 to see if our emergency space is available.
Not a member yet? We may be able to help!
Please call us at 250-762-3536 ext. 5 to contact the Coordinator about emergency registration and availability.
Naps, Snacks, Potties & more
Do you provide snacks or meals?
No, we do not provide snacks or meals at this time. Please be sure to bring healthy snacks and/or lunch if your child will be attending during the following times:
- 10:00am – 10:30am | Morning snack
- 12:00pm – 12:30pm | Lunch
- 3:00pm – 3:30pm | Afternoon snack
Will my child get their nap time?
As a flexible childcare provider, we are happy to accommodate naps and rest periods upon request.
We do offer a quieter area for rest and will do our best to provide gentle encouragement for children who appear tired or if you have requested a nap for your child. All naps or rest times will be recorded for your review.
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
No, your child doesn’t need to be toilet trained to attend. When you drop your child off with us, please be sure to include:
- One diaper/pull-up per hour of care, including cloth diapers
- Wipes
- A full change of clothes, including extra pairs of underwear, socks and shoes for children who are potty training
Can my child still come if they’re not feeling well or they’re sick?
No.
Please do not bring your child if they are feeling unwell or if they have been sick within the past 24 hours. To limit the spread of illness, we may refuse entry or send home children who are sick.
Parents/guardians are responsible for cancelling booked reservations in the event your child is sick. You may cancel online with 3 hours notice, or by calling us at 250-762-3536 ext. 5.
Booking and Cancelation
Can I book a spot in advance if I know I’m going to need childcare?
Yes!
Using your online Childhood Connections account, you can reserve a spot for your child up to 3 months in advance or with as little as 1 hour’s notice. Bookings can also be made by calling our centre directly.
Can I cancel a pre-booked spot?
You can cancel a pre-booked spot with 1 hour’s notice using your Childhood Connections online account or by phone. We cannot accept a cancelation by email, voicemail or text. If we are unable to answer the phone when you call, please call again.
How much notice do I need to give before I drop off my child?
You can reserve a space for your child with as little as 1 hour’s notice or up to 3 months in advance through your online account. For reservations with less than 1 hour’s notice, we ask that you call us to confirm availability.
Please note that due to the nature of flexible childcare, we cannot guarantee availability.
Can I change my membership?
Yes. You may submit a Membership Change Form by the 15th of the month for the changes to occur at the start of the next calendar month.
How do I cancel my membership?
You can cancel your membership by submitting a Membership Change Form to our Coordinator by the 15th of the month via email or in person. The cancelation would then become effective starting on the 1st of the following month.
Please note that we cannot accept notice of cancelation by phone, verbally or text message. Cancelation by email MUST include a completed Membership Change Form.
General Questions
What is “Occasional Childcare?”
Occasional Childcare is a type of licensed childcare in BC. It is a drop-in childcare option that can be used for a maximum of 8 hours per day and no more than 40 hours per month.
Are you a licensed childcare facility?
Yes!
As a licensed childcare provider, we are monitored and regularly inspected by regional health authorities. Our staff must be 19 years of age or older and have a minimum of 20 hours of childcare-related training, relevant work experience, a valid first aid certificate and a clear criminal record check.
Our staff come from a variety of educational backgrounds and have a shared passion for providing quality childcare. As part of Childhood Connections Society, our staff frequently attend professional development workshops and ongoing training to enhance their skills.
How many children or spots does your facility allow?
Our license allows us to welcome a maximum of 16 children at any given time.
Our staff come from a variety of educational backgrounds and have a shared passion for providing quality childcare. As part of Childhood Connections Society, our staff frequently attend professional development workshops and ongoing training to enhance their skills.
Play-Based Childcare
Loose Parts
Many of the materials in our classroom are “loose parts” – materials that can be mixed, matched, moved around, taken apart and put back together in many ways! They are materials with no specific set of directions that can be used alone or combined with other materials to allow children’s innate sense of exploration and invention to flourish.
Messy Play
Children can be messy as they create, discover and explore! Children’s learning can be a messy experience, whether they are using art or sensory materials or learning to feed themselves at snack time. Parents/guardians are advised to dress their children in clothing that they are not concerned about getting dirty/stained. We require adequate changes of clothing daily to ensure that children’s needs are met.
Active Play
Active play is physical activity which includes moderate to vigorous bursts of high energy, raises children’s heart rate and may make them ‘huff and puff’ such as running or jumping. For toddlers, active play may include reaching out for a toy, rolling over, balancing in a sitting position and crawling/walking. Our Program provides frequent opportunities for active play, both planned and spontaneous. Active play may include building with loose parts; participating in yoga stories; playing gross-motor games; dancing; and going on neighbourhood walks and other off-site trips.
Flexible Learning
Our approach to early childhood learning is as flexible as our drop-in childcare program itself.
We use a dynamic approach to learning and activity planning based on the needs and interests of the children in our care. This emergent curriculum method means that our educators observe and listen to the children. We ask questions and listen to the child’s ideas and theories. After observing the children in action, we plan play-based activities and projects that are best suited to the children on that given day.
Come Visit Us
We know that choosing the right childcare provider is a big decision. It’s important to us that you and your child are comfortable and that we can get to know each other. Please complete our online application form and we will get in touch to schedule an orientation tour.