CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, MINISTRY FOR 614 Humboldt St. Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 Day Care Subsidy Program
Under this program, families of children aged 12 and under may receive assistance with the cost of family daycare, group day care, in-own-home day care, preschool or out-of-school facilities. Eligibility is based on financial and social criteria established by the BC Benefits Act. Most parents receiving a subsidy are working, attending school, or have medical needs. For more information, check your telephone directory under BC Government, Human Resources, for the Income Assistance office nearest you.
Special Needs Day Care/ Supported Child Care
There are several child care options open to parents of children with disabilities. These include:
- Family daycare provided in a family setting other than the child’s own home.
- Group daycare, through regular daycare centres.
- In-home care which allows a subsidy to parents hiring someone to come into their homes to care for children with disabilities.
- Out-of-school care for children up to 12 years old who need care and supervision when school is not in session.
- Nursery schools or preschools which offer part-time service for children 3 to 5 years of age including care and preparation for school.
- Special needs programs including a variety of specially licensed part and full time programs offering specialized care for children with disabilities.
After an extensive review of Special Needs Day Care, the Ministry of Social Services has announced that the program will change to a “Supported Child Care”approach. This approach enables parents to choose neighbourhood child care settings and provides the extra supports needed by those settings. It is based on a family-centred approach and promotes inclusive, rather than specialized, child care experiences for children with special needs. This new approach is already in place in some communities; in others, it will take place over a four year period ending in 1999. For information about service in local communities, see your blue pages under Government of BC, Social Services, for the Services for People with Mental Handicaps office in your area.