Find useful resources on this page to support you in providing high-quality licensed child care programming that promotes healthy childhood development.
What's on this page
- Applying for City of Vancouver child care grants
- Operating a City-owned childcare
- Assessing community need
- Indigenous culture competency videos
- Child development hub models
- Links: Child development research and child care advocacy
- Social emotional learning resources
- City funding for childcare providers
Applying for City of Vancouver child care grants
We support non-profit licensed child care through various grant programs, as well as through supporting the development of quality childcare centres.
Operating a City-owned childcare centre
We select non-profit operators to run City-owned childcare facilities at nominal rent. To be notified of upcoming operator selection processes for new City-owned childcare centres, please contact childcare@vancouver.ca
Assessing community need
We analyze child population, existing childcare licences, school enrollment, and other data to estimate changing local needs for childcare.
We use this data to support nonprofit childcare operators in shaping new or existing program offerings, strategic planning, or preparing grant proposals.
- This map
(78 KB) shows the estimated percentage of need for child care which is currently met for children ages 0-4 in 2017, by geographical network areas. - This map (240 KB) shows the estimated percentage of need for child care which is currently met for children ages 5-12 in 2017, by geographical network areas.
There are local variations in need and family preferences across the city, which are not reflected in the City’s calculations of childcare need.
The age groups with the lowest percentage of childcare need that is currently met are infants and toddlers (under age 3) and school age children (ages 5-12). The need for part day preschool programs (ages 3-4 only) is generally met across the city.
Indigenous culture competency videos for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs)
An understanding of the history and culture of Indigenous peoples is crucial to reconciliation.
Musqueam Nation, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House, in partnership with the City of Vancouver and other community partners, created a series of five Indigenous cultural competency video modules and an accompanying study guide for ECEs.
Watch the videos and read the guide to learn about Indigenous culture and history, and develop skills and get tools to teach young children about the rich heritage and history of Indigenous peoples.
Child development hub models
Learn about child development centres that provide expanded services for children and families:
Child development research and child care advocacy links
Connect to the latest research on child development, and get information on best practices, employment, and advocacy:
Social emotional learning resources
The PACE Program 
provides an intensive child and family program for preschool aged children (aged 3 to 5) showing significant emotional and/or behavioural challenges.
Mind in the Making - Essential Life Skills is a program that shares the science of children’s learning with the general public, families, and professionals who work with children and families.
City funding for childcare providers
School-age Care Expansion Projects Grant Program
This program offers small grants for non-profit organizations, to assist with the capital costs of outfitting rooms in schools to house licensed childcare.
Childcare Research, Policy Development, and Innovation Grants
Provides one-time funding for research, policy development, and related projects to improve childcare in Vancouver.
Vantage Point bursaries: Free professional development workshops and labs
Provides free access to workshops, labs, and other learning opportunities for staff and board members of eligible organizations.
Social Innovation Project Grants
Provides funding to social service organizations to turn innovative ideas into viable projects that address social change, create or enhance social inclusion and belonging, and help Vancouver's most vulnerable residents.
Childcare Enhancement Grants
Provides funds to non-profit organizations to support new and existing daycares.
Childcare Program Stabilization Grants
Provides funds for non-profit daycare centres facing financial emergencies, to help them strengthen their cash flow and better manage their money.
Childcare Program Development Grants
Provides funds to licensed non-profit daycares to help cover costs for starting new programs or expanding existing ones.
Capital Project Grants
Includes the Downtown Eastside (DTES) Capital Grants and Social Policy Capital Grants. Provides support for capital projects that preserve or increase the capacity of facilities used to address the needs of vulnerable communities in Vancouver. Downtown Eastside (DTES) Capital Grants only fund capital projects within the DTES that help implement actions from the DTES Plan. Social Policy Capital Grants fund small capital projects anywhere in Vancouver.
