Arranging childcare
Arranging reliable childcare during class and study times lets you concentrate on your work.
- Consider what’s important to you in a childcare (convenience, location, fees, services, philosophy, size, etc.).
- Talk to friends and family to find good, reliable care, and/or contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Service at 205-382-7000 (especially if you’re new to Victoria or finding selecting child care facilities difficult).
- Consider all child care options to find a safe, inclusive, nurturing and affordable environment: family help, childcare time exchanges, sitter-sharing, etc.
- Plan childcare so that you have out-of-class time for studying and group work.
- Check out Camosun College Child Care Services on both campuses for infants and preschool children (phone: 250-370-4880). Placing children on a waitlist early is advisable as Centres are always full.
- Narrow down your child care choices, visit and observe the environments, and ask all your questions (no question is dumb!).
- Arrange child care and try it before classes start so you’re sure it works and you and your child are comfortable. Take time to be with your child as he or she settles in.
- Provide your caregiver with ways of contacting you and another parent/guardian/adult, and your updated class schedule.
- Visit your child in care as regularly as you can, so you can concentrate knowing all is well -- many facilities encourage parent involvement.
- Always tell the caregiver your child’s needs, ask how it’s going, and share important information: the more they know, the better.
- Have a back-up plan for when your child or caregiver is sick.
- Child care fees can be costly, so contact the Ministry of Children & Family Development early to look into all available subsidies. Find out if you are entitled to a provincial government subsidy (Ministry of Children and Family Development (subsidy office), phone:1-888-338-6622).
- Other online resources include the Parent Guide to Selecting Child Care brochure, and Child and Family Canada articles.
