What is a Family Place?
Family Places / family resource programs are parent / child interactive programs for families with children 0-6 years. Family resource programs are unique from other early childhood development programs in that parent and child attend together. Although activities and services may vary depending on the needs, circumstances and diversity of the families in the communities they serve, family resource programs exhibit certain common themes and adopt programs which support and strengthen families. Family resource programs have five core areas of service which include: family support, play-based learning, early literacy, learning and care, parent education, and information and referrals. They are low cost or free with subsidies readily available. Family Places may be independent stand-alone organizations or embedded in a multi-service agency such as a neighbourhood house.
What is a Neighbourhood House?
A Neighbourhood House is a central hub for social programs and services and for community development and activities that strengthen neighbourhoods.
What is Preschool?
Preschools are part-day programs, that may run from one to five days per week, depending on the program. Preschools serve children from 30 months (at least 3 years old by December 31) to school entry. Most preschools operate on the school-year, September to June.
What is Out-of-School Care?
Out-of-School Care Centres serve school-age children who require care outside normal school hours. Some centres provide care both before and after school; others provide care only after school. Centres provide full-day care on days when school is not in session. Most offer a full-day summer program; some programs also offer before and after kindergarten care.
What is Licensed Child Care?
Licensed family child care is for children from birth to 12 years. It is offered in the caregiver’s own home. Family child care may be full and/or part-time spaces with flexible hours. Seven children is the maximum allowed in the home. Additionally only 5 of the 7 children may be preschool-age and no more than 3 may be under 3 years old. Only 1 child may be under 12 months old.
Licensed child minding centres serve children from 18 months to school entry. Children may attend no more than three hours a day, and no more than two days a week. Some programs provide drop-in care while other provide a regular twice-a-week program.
Licence-not-required child care provides care for a maximum of two children of any age, in the caregiver’s own home.
What is Supported Child Care?
Supported Child Development (SCD) Program assists families requiring child care, preschool, or out-of-school care for their children 0 - 19 years of age. These children may have a developmental delay, disorder, or extra support needs and would benefit from additional program support. The program provides support to care providers like child care centres, preschool, and out-of-school care programs to develop inclusive principles and practices to enhance all children’s experiences. For more information: BC Centre for Ability
What is Montessori?
The Montessori method of education is a partnership between the family and the teachers, whose focus is to nurture the development of the whole child. In a Montessori school, we strive to create a rich learning environment that fosters growth in the areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional learning.
Dr. Maria Montessori had an immense respect for children and the capabilities of each individual child. That respect is evident in the legacy of brilliant educational materials and in the philosophy that she modeled throughout her life.
“Whoever touches the life of the child, touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs towards the infinite future.”
Visit the Montessori Day Care Society website for more information and to see a Montessori school in action.
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