Child care matters. It is critical for the social and economic well‐being of our City, and the creation of a complete community. Quality child care is a key contributor to the
economy, labour force participation, gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction. Further, quality child care has a long term benefit on children’s development.
The City is a partner with other levels of government, community agencies, child care providers, and the community in the facilitation, creation, and maintenance of a comprehensive child care system that meets children’s, families’ and the community’s needs.
Details of Child Care Action Plan
Vision
To improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of child care in the City over the next 10 years by collaborating with partners, collaborating with partners, creating new spaces, and advocating for the community’s needs.
Scope and Purpose
This is a 10-year plan that includes targets and actions for the short term (2021 to 2023), medium term (2024 to 2026), and long term (2027 to 2031).
As a local government the City does not have the mandate or resources to fully address the gaps in child care accessibility, affordability, and quality on its own. The mandate for early learning and child care is mostly provincial, with some federal involvement. Support from senior levels of government and strong partnerships with others are needed. This Plan defines the City’s priorities and actions to meet local child care needs./p>
Priorities
Priority Actions
Targets for Child Care Spaces
Targets for creating additional child care spaces assist with planning and prioritization to meet community needs over the coming years.
To achieve the targets, local governments require support from senior levels of government, community partners, and others to address service gaps and to create new spaces. Given that the City does not have the mandate or resources to fully address the gaps in child care on its own, support from senior levels of government, and strong partnerships with others are needed. This Plan defines the City’s priorities and actions to meet child care needs.
The City's target is to create 1,063 new licensed child care spaces over the next 10 years (by 2031) as follows:
| Program Type |
Target for Average Access Rate by 2031 |
Number of Spaces Needed to Meet Target by 2031 |
| Infant and Toddler |
33 spaces per 100 children |
299 new spaces |
| Preschool (3-5 year olds) |
50 spaces per 100 children |
300 new spaces |
| School age (6-9 year olds) 1 |
33 spaces per 100 children |
464 new spaces |
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1 Note that the target for School Age Programs includes children aged 6-9 years old (not 6-12 year old). It is recognized that 10-12 year olds can more easily and preferably access other non-licensed opportunities before and after school.
Starting a Child Care Facility
Considering starting and opening a child care facility? Any facility intended for three or more children who are not siblings, and who are not related to you by blood or marriage, requires:
- community care facility licence issued by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
- a business licence issued by the City (registered non-profit providers are exempt from the licence fee)
- a building permit (in some situations)
Resources
Looking for Child Care?
Use the North Shore Child Care Directory tool to explore licensed and registered child care providers across the North Shore.
Contact North Shore Child Care Resource and Referral to discuss your child care needs.