Developing a childcare centre

Steps for establishing a childcare centre

Important note All new childcare centres and changes to existing childcare centres require community care facilities licensing (CCFL) approval before we review an enquiry. If you don't have this clearance, you will need to contact Vancouver Coastal Health External website, opens in new tab .

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  Step 1: Review the requirements of a childcare facility

  A. Connect with Vancouver Coastal Health

  Childcares are licensed by the Province of BC health authorities, which set licensing standards and regularly inspect licensed facilities. In Vancouver, the licensing body is Vancouver Coastal Health’s Community Care and Facilities Licensing (CCFL) division.

  Important note All childcare programs serving more than two children (in addition to the childcare provider’s own family) require a CCFL licence to operate. Refer to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act - Child Care Licensing Regulation External website, opens in new tab 

  Important note A licencing officer can help you understand the licensing requirements for childcare External website, opens in new tab. You can contact Vancouver Costal Health at 604-675-3800.

  B. Understand the facility types

  There are various types of licensed child care:

  • Group child care - including group care for children under 3 years old, 2.5 years old to school age and school age
  • Multi-age child care
  • Preschool - for children 2.5 years old to school age
  • Family child care
  • In-home multi-age child care
  • Occasional child care

  Find more information about the different types of childcare External website, opens in new tab

  C. Read our guidelines and checklists

  Our childcare design guidelines are based on best practices and research. They build on provincial regulations with the intent of providing healthy child development opportunities.

  The guidelines apply where childcare facilities are required as a condition of rezoning and for conditional approval development applications involving childcare facilities. If you plan to develop a new childcare centre your plans will be reviewed for compliance with these guidelines at the rezoning stage, development permit stage, or both. 

  • Childcare design guidelines PDF file (331 KB)
  • Childcare development permit checklist PDF file (229 KB)

  Minimum amount of outdoor space per child

  Provincial regulations set minimum health and safety standards and should be viewed together with City guidelines. We set a larger minimum amount of outdoor space per child than the Province. 

  Ample space to learn and play is critical to quality childcare, particularly in high-density urban areas without access to open space at home. Our guidelines allow for a greater range of large-muscle movements (running, jumping, or biking), which has been proven to be essential in preventing health problems such as obesity, and in promoting cognitive, social, and emotional brain development.

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  Step 2. Contact our Social Policy and Projects Division 

  Contact our Social Policy and Projects division (childcare@vancouver.ca) to ensure your project meets the intent of our guidelines.

  We can help you get started in creating a safe and supportive early learning environment that conforms to the Provincial Child Care Licensing Regulations External website, opens in new tab and to the City’s Childcare Design Guidelines PDF file (511 KB).

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  Step 3. Assess project feasibility

  Develop a business plan to ensure the childcare is financially feasible and incorporates our design guidelines and provincial licensing requirements.

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  Step 4. Develop a preliminary design

  Once you have a feasible plan, connect with Vancouver's Coastal Health's Community Care Facility Licensing (CCFL) External website, opens in new tab to review your facility’s interior space and playground, and to apply for an operating licence.

  Once you receive a memo from them acknowledging they received your application, proceed to the next step.

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  Step 5. Apply for a development permit

  Applications must address relevant regulations, policies, and guidelines, including the City's childcare design guidelines and Provincial regulations. While childcare is permitted as a conditional use in most City zoning, it is important to check the specific zoning regulations and by-laws that apply to the location that you are considering for a childcare centre.

  To apply for a development permit, take the CCFL memo along with a copy of your licensing application form to the Development and Building Services Centre. You can speed up the process by including:

  • A complete and detailed set of plans that includes info on the proposed indoor and outdoor spaces
  • An operational plan
  • A completed permit application form
  • Payment 

  For further details on development permit applications, contact the Development and Building Services Enquiry Centre online.

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  Step 6. Finalize the facility’s design

  Ensure your final design complies with the Vancouver Building By-law External website, opens in new tab and development permit requirements.

  You may be required to change aspects of your design during the development permit review process.

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  Step 7. Apply for a building permit

  A building permit application is comprised of construction drawings and specifications prepared by the applicant, which complies with the Vancouver Building By-law.

  Once your project has been granted a development permit, submit the following:

  • A completed building permit application
  • An owner’s undertaking letter
  • Copies of detailed working drawings

  Find building and renovating forms, checklists, and bulletins

  For further details on building permit applications, contact the Development and Building Services Centre online.

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  Step 8. Building the childcare centre

  Begin building your centre once you receive a building permit.

  While the centre is under construction, continue to work with CCFL to ensure the spaces you are creating are licensable.

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  Step 9. Apply for an occupancy permit

  Approval for occupancy requires that the constructed building complies with all building regulatory requirements and that the consultant team responsible for building design has similarly certified that all fire and life safety requirements have been met.

  After construction is complete, request a final inspection from us to ensure that your space is safe.

  Apply for your occupancy permit once you pass the final inspection.

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  Step 10: Fire department approval

  It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain fire department approval prior to licensing approval. Sprinklers are required for a group childcare facility or for a licensed family childcare that serves children under age three. Refer to Vancouver Building By-Law Section 3.1.2.8. Child Care Facilities for more information. 

  In addition to sprinkler permits, other trades permits may be required.

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  Step 11. Receive a licence to operate the childcare centre

  Once we've granted the applicant permission to occupy a site, Vancouver Coastal Health Licensing officials will inspect the completed facility to ensure that all Provincial requirements are in place and the facility’s licence to operate can be issued.