Resources for educators and administrators

We support non-profit licensed child care through various grant programs, as well as through supporting the development of quality childcare centres.

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, contact childcare@vancouver.ca.

Our childcare needs maps PDF file (374 KB) show the estimated percentage of need for childcare which is currently met for children ages 0 to 4 and ages 5 to 12 in 2022, by geographical network areas.

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 to 12). The need for part day preschool programs (ages 3 to 4 only) is generally met across the city.

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 Early Childhood Educators.

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.

• Welcome (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab
• Identifies and beliefs (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab
• The Indian Act (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab
• Residential Schools, 60s Scoop, Legacy of kids in care (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab
• The future of early childhood (vimeo) External web site, opens in new tab
• This Land: A companion resource for Early Childhood Educators to accompany five short films PDF file (6.05 MB)

In 2021, the City commissioned a study on the impact of grants on over 50 Vancouver-based non-profit childcare programs.

The report highlights how increased Provincial funding affected the sustainability of childcare programs, and provides important comparative information on childcare budgets by license type. It also includes recommendations for how senior levels of government can develop an equitable childcare funding formula. Read the report PDF file (445 KB)

Connect to the latest research on child development, and get information on best practices, employment, and advocacy:

• Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) External web site, opens in new tab
• Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre External web site, opens in new tab
• BC Aboriginal Child Care Society External web site, opens in new tab
• Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC External web site, opens in new tab
• Early Childhood Educators of BC External web site, opens in new tab
• Child Care Resource and Research Unit External web site, opens in new tab
• Early Childhood Education Report External web site, opens in new tab

We've created city-wide and neighbourhood profiles, largely based on the 2016 federal census with key data about children and families in the city, compiled into easy to reference documents.

The next major update is anticipated for 2023, after the full release of data from the 2021 census. 

The PACE Program External web site, opens in new tab provides an intensive child and family program for preschool aged children (aged 3 to 5) showing significant emotional or behavioural challenges.

Mind in the Making - Essential Life Skills External web site, opens in new tab is a program that shares the science of children’s learning with the general public, families, and professionals who work with children and families.