Child Care & Child Development

Step-by-Step Guide

The Step-by-Step Guide to Setting-Up a Licensed Group Child Care Facility in New Westminster provides information related to: (1) Research, Location and Financial Planning; (2) Community Care Facilities Licensing; and (3) Application and Approval Process. It, along with referenced reports and studies, provides a good starting point for potential group child care operators.

• Step-by-Step Guide

Child Care Strategy

The Child Care Strategy reflects City Council’s desire to be a municipal leader in the area of child care and provides an overall framework and long-term direction with regard to child care in New Westminster. It builds on past and present municipal child care initiatives and defines the City’s role, enabling powers and limitations. It also reflects a commitment in the belief that quality, accessible and affordable child care is necessary to creating a complete and healthy community and a prosperous economy. 

• Child Care Strategy Progress Report- January 30, 2012
• Child Care Strategy Progress Report – March 22, 2010
• Child Care Strategy
• Child Care Protocol between City & School District

Child Care Needs Assessment
The Child Care Needs Assessment provides an overview of the child care system and a snapshot of the current child care situation within New Westminster.  More specifically, it defines what is meant by child care and describes the different types; details its importance from both a social and economic perspective; discusses how it is provided and funded; examines the existing child are situation, including supply and demand factors; and identifies and analyzes a number of related issues.

• Child Care Needs Assessment

Early Childhood Development Hubs
The City of New Westminster (through Social Planning and Parks, Culture and Recreation) is a member of the Early Childhood Development Public Partners' Committee #40 and the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

The ECD Public Partners' Committee is working to develop four ECD hubs in New Westminster.  These hubs, as envisioned, will include at least two early childhood development and/or family strengthening services; one of which is a licensed child care program.  They will act as focal points for their neighbourhoods; enabling families to easily obtain information and seamlessly access a continuum of services related to their needs.

Planning for two of the four hubs is well underway.  In October 2008, Council endorsed a preliminary concept plan for an ECD hub as part of the future expansion of the Queensborough Community Centre.  As proposed, the hub will have over 10,000 sq. ft., incorporate a licensed child care with 52 spaces and provide a range of early childhood development and family strengthening programs.  In May 2008, work was completed on the Uptown/Downtown ECD Hub Development Study, which identified community needs, essential components and possible sites.  Discussions are underway to possibly include this hub as part of the development of a new middle school on the John Robson site under the Neighbourhoods of Learning Project.

• ECD Public Partners' Presentation
• Early Childhood Development Hubs
• ECD Hubs in New Westminster
• Neighbourhoods of Learning Project Report
• Preliminary Concept Plan for a Queensborough ECD Hub Report
• Preliminary Concept Plan for a Queensborough ECD Hub Presentation