How Parents Can Use wstcoast.org to Find Child Care in Vancouver

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre (wstcoast.org) is a Vancouver-based non-profit that provides child care referrals, resources, and training for families and early childhood professionals. If you are a parent or guardian looking for child care in Vancouver, the site offers a child care portal to narrow your search, lists of child care providers, help navigating provincial subsidy applications, and parenting articles. It is also the host organization for the Vancouver Child Care Resource & Referral (VCCRR). The steps below reflect what the site itself describes; specific provider availability, waitlists, and fees are set by individual providers, not by WCCRC.

Start with the Find Childcare portal

The site's main tool for families is the Find Childcare portal, which the homepage describes as a way to "narrow your search." Use it as a first filter rather than a final answer:

1. Open the Find Childcare portal from the homepage.
2. Narrow your search using the criteria the portal offers (for example, location within Vancouver).
3. Note the providers that match, then contact them directly to confirm openings, hours, ages accepted, and fees.

Because WCCRC is a referral and resource service, the portal points you toward providers — it does not enroll your child or guarantee a space.

Get a list of child care providers

The site states that it provides parents and guardians with "a list of child care providers" to help find quality child care in Vancouver. Use this list together with the portal:

• Treat the list as a starting point for phone calls and tours.
• Ask each provider about licensing, staff certification, and current vacancies.
• If you live outside the City of Vancouver, note that WCCRC hosts the Vancouver CCRR specifically; the site directs you to the Child Care Resource and Referral Centres – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) website to find CCRRs in other BC communities.

Get help with provincial subsidy applications

Beyond provider lists, WCCRC says it helps families with "navigating provincial subsidy applications." If cost is a concern, this is the part of the site to use:

• Look for the subsidy navigation resources under the Choosing Child Care section.
• Use them to understand the application process before you apply.
• Confirm current eligibility rules and amounts with the provincial source, since subsidy programs and thresholds change.

Browse parenting resources and articles

The site also hosts parenting resources and articles, plus a resource library described as being for "professionals, students & parents / caregivers." You can:

• Read articles on choosing and parenting while you search.
• Check the Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL) for additional materials.
• Sign up for the e-newsletter to stay current on child care news and WCCRC updates.

Other sections you may notice

What to keep in mind

• WCCRC provides resources, referrals, and training — it is not itself a child care provider, so it cannot confirm a spot for your child.
• The referral service described on the site is focused on the City of Vancouver; for other BC communities, use the provincial CCRR directory.
• Details such as provider fees, hours, and waitlists are not set by WCCRC and should be confirmed directly with each provider.
• The site does not state pricing for its services on the pages referenced here, so do not assume any service is free or requires login — check the specific page or contact WCCRC directly.