Child Care Resource and Referral programs are located in many communities throughout the province. Each program provides support, referrals, and resources to families and child care providers. This program is funded by the Province of British Columbia, and serves the Cowichan Valley from Saltair to the Malahat, including Chemainus, Duncan, Shawnigan Lake, and Lake Cowichan. The goal of the Child Care Resource and Referral program is to provide referrals and support to parents in their selection of appropriate child care, and to support child care providers in providing quality child care.
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Services to Care Providers
The Child Care Resource and Referral program provides information, support, and training to child care providers, with an emphasis on family child care. Services and resources, which care providers must meet certain registration requirements to access, include:
- Start-up and operating information.
- Workshops and networking opportunities.
- Supportive visits to the child care program.
- Access to child care resources such as toys, infant equipment, theme boxes, books, and other printed material.
- Referrals to community resources.
- Listing on a registry of care providers.
Services to Parents
The Child Care Resource and Referral program provides information and support for parents in choosing child care that best fits their needs. Services include:
- Referrals to local child care providers for all children age birth to twelve years.
- Answers to child care questions:
- How do I choose child care that meets my family's needs?
- What do I look for in quality child care?
- How do I know if the care I have chosen is a good experience for my child?
- Information on types of child care.
- Information on how to apply for a child care subsidy.
- Access to parent education opportunities, such as printed information, videos, and workshops.
Services to the Community
The Child Care Resource and Referral program provides information to the community about child care in general. The program staff will make presentations to community and student groups on a wide range of child care topics, represent local child care interests at community meetings, and answer general inquiries about child care.
Website: IslandFamilyInfo.ca.
Contact the program staff at ccrr@cvacl.org, or (250) 746-4135 extension 231/237, for more information.