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Child Care & Child Development

Opening a Child Care Facility | Child Care Strategy  |  Child Care Needs Assessment  |  Early Child Care Development Hubs | New Westminster Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy

Opening a Child Care Facility in New Westminster

Child care is an essential community-based service that makes a valuable contribution to the social and economic development of the community. There are municipal and provincial requirements that need to be met in order to open a child care facility, as well as financial considerations.
 

Click to here to learn more about opening a licensed child care facility in New Westminster. 

Click here to read the Child Care Facilities Building Bulletin.

Child Care Strategy

The Child Care Strategy reflects City Council’s desire to be a municipal leader in the area of child care, providing an overall framework and long-term direction for child care in New Westminster. Building on past and present municipal childcare initiatives, it defines the City’s role and enables powers and limitations. It also reflects a commitment in the belief that quality, accessible and affordable childcare is necessary in the creation of a healthy community and prosperous economy. 

Child Care Needs Assessment

The Child Care Needs Assessment provides an overview of the childcare system and situation in New Westminster and highlights its importance from both a social and economic perspective. The assessment also discusses how childcare is provided and funded, and examines the existing situation, including supply and demand factors and related issues.

Early Childhood Development Hubs

The City of New Westminster is a member of the Early Childhood Development Public Partners' Committee #40 through Social Planning, and Parks and Recreation. It’s also a member of the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

The ECD Public Partners' Committee is developing four ECD hubs in New Westminster.  They will include two early childhood development and/or family strengthening services, one of which will be a licensed child care program. These 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.

New Westminster Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy

The New Westminster Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy (2016), which is based on an extensive  community  consultation process involving  840 residents, will  inform the development  of neighbourhoods  which meet the needs of children, youth and families. The strategy is grounded on children's rights and is organized according to eight domains of influence, with each domain incorporating a vision, goals and actions. The strategy has been identified as a corporate strategic policy priority which will  guide the work of staff from 2016 to 2018. The strategy was developed by the Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCY) and the City of New Westminster (City), with funding support from the United Way of the Lower Mainland and the Vancouver Foundation.

New Westminster Child and Youth Friendly Community Strategy