Welcome to the parent to parent section. Below are tips and answers to frequently asked questions from UBC childcare parents. Click on each highlighted topic below for more information.

Why we chose UBC childcare

Parent perspective on UBC childcare policies:

• Gradual Entry
• Parent Involvement
• Student Subsidy
• Extra Costs
• Center Handbooks
• Sick Policies

Before you start at UBC daycare:

• Waitlist/Daycare space
• Options when offered a space that doesn’t meet your needs
• Information on alternatives to UBC daycare

Tips from parents once your child is in UBC daycare:

• Transitioning from infant to toddler care
• Transitioning from toddler to pre-school care
• Suggestions for back-up care when your kids are sick
• Suggestions for leaving a crying child

why we chose ubc childcare

The highly qualified staff at UBC childcare is one of the main reasons we've chosen it. All are certified in early child education and many have advanced degrees. They are always welcoming and provide numerous insights into your child and helpful advice when asked. In addition, the strong community of involved parents allows you to learn from other parents and share similar experiences. Some of your child's best friends will come from here. The socialization children gain here is difficult to duplicate elsewhere.

"When my daughter did gradual entry at the toddler center, she had a rough time even though she was coming from the infant center, having suddenly decided that she was very attached to mommy. The older children (all under 3) were able to help her through it as well as any of the adults: they gathered around when she cried, hugged and petted her and brought her toys and sang her songs. There was an amazing empathy in those two-year olds. They'd clearly learned how to be that way from being in that place."

The facilities are tailored to be age-appropriate and the range of activities, toys, and play cannot be duplicated at home. In addition, age appropriate programming is developed at each center and implemented by the highly qualified staff. A high degree of standardization exists among the centers and nutritious snacks are provided every day.

gradual entry

Gradual entry happens at all the centers each time your child moves to a new center, regardless of whether your child is new to UBC or moving from another UBC center. Gradual entry allows you to feel comfortable with the new center and staff and more importantly lets your child become comfortable in and trust his/her new environment. Gradual entry varies by the center and the child, but you will need to find alternate or back-up care during the entry period if you plan to work. Also, you will need to be available most mornings and some afternoons during the gradual entry. As a parent, gradual entry will be a fact of life each time your child enters a new daycare or school, until at least first grade, so below are some tips to help you navigate the experience.

• Gradual entry varies by center. Call the center ahead of time to find out center specific information on it.
• Plan for the entry to take at least one week.
• Many parents take vacation during this time.
• Some are able to work from home and still be available for the entry process.
• If you are unable to take time off, you will need to find alternate care. Grandparents, other family or regular babysitters should be lined up to provide back up care. However, you will still need to be available to drop off and pick up your child and to spend time with your child at the new center.
• Alternating days off work between you and your partner is a strategy that works for some families. This has the advantage of letting you both become familiar with the new center and letting your child see you are both comfortable with the new daycare.

extra costs

In addition to the monthly fees, there are several additional costs that will arise when your child enters UBC daycare. Most of these are optional.

• Toy Fund: instead of holding fund raising events, some centers ask for a one time toy fee of about $25. This covers the cost of new toy purchases and eliminates the need for bake sales or other fund raisers to raise money for these purchases. You may be asked to contribute, depending on the center.
• Music Lessons: in the toddler and 3-5 centers children have the opportunity to take part in group music lessons. The fees for this are about $25/month. Participation is optional, so if you prefer not to enroll your child you do not have to.
• Clothing: children go outside everyday regardless of the weather. Therefore, warm coats, mittens or gloves, waterproof clothing, rain boots, winter and summer hats and sunscreen will be necessary. You may transport the outdoor gear back and forth for home and center use or purchase separate items to leave at the center.
• Nap items: parents will need to provide sheets blankets and any other nap items (e.g. pillow) for children to use at the center.
• Lunch items: Parents are responsible for providing their child's lunch each day. Bottles, sippy cups, lunch boxes, ice packs or other food and drink containers might be necessary depending on the center.

waitlist/daycare space

Daycare spaces are assigned according to placement on the waitlist with priority given to:
1. families with siblings already enrolled at UBC daycare and
2. families affiliated with UBC.
Currently the waitlist for priority spaces (e.g. those families with siblings already enrolled or affiliated with UBC either as students, staff or faculty) is approximately 18 months to 2 years . Given the demands within the UBC community, there are no spaces available in the infant or toddler programs for families without UBC affiliation. The 3-5 year programs have a larger child to staff ratio and they may have spaces available.

The best way to gain a space is to sign up on the waitlist as soon as you know you need care and then plan to wait. You should also consider other daycare options, as chances are good that a space may not become available when you need it.

Turnover at UBC daycare is increasingly happening mid- to late summer, as kindergarten age children move onto school. Most spaces will become available during this time.

When you are offered a space, you will be given 24 hours to make your decision. As your name moves higher on the waitlist (when it is anticipated you will receive an offer in the next 2-3 months) you might want to visit the various centers before you are offered a space. The universal approach to care giving is similar across UBC childcare, but centers have their own policies and attitudes on many topics. Learning about these differences is part of the discovery you should do as you visit centers before starting.

options when offered a space that doesn't meet your needs

You may be offered a part-time space when you need a full-time space or a space several months before you need it. If this happens you should take the space. Given the length of the waitlist, there are no guarantees you will be offered another space that will work for you. Also, once your child is at a center, you will be given priority at that center to move from part- to full-time or vice versa over a family on the waitlist. Talk with the center where you have been offered a space to get a sense of your options.

information on alternatives to ubc daycare

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre provides current information about childcare available in the lower mainland. Their website is http://www.wstcoast.org/

transitioning from infant to toddler care

Below are tips that may help make your child's transition to a new center smoother:

• Visit the center with your child prior to entry (call ahead to make sure this is ok with the staff).
• Talk with you child (even if they are pre-verbal) and make sure they understand what will happen and why. You'll be surprised how much they understand.
• Take advantage of gradual entry to learn more about the center and to tell the staff about your child.

transitioning from toddler to pre-school care

Below are tips that may help make your child's transition to a new center smoother:

• Visit the center with your child prior to entry (call ahead to make sure this is ok with the staff).
• Talk with you child and make sure they understand what will happen and why.

suggestions for back-up care when your kids are sick

During the first winter or two your child is in daycare they will probably be sick once or twice a month and you'll be unable to take them to daycare. Below are some tips for dealing with those times.

• If you and your partner both teach, schedule you classes at different times.
• Identify friends, family, or others who can serve as back-up child care on short notice.

suggestions for leaving a crying child

• Don't prolong your departure. Make your intentions clear (I am leaving now, but will be back to pick you up), so your child won't get mixed messages. Crying usually stops quickly after you leave. You can always call the centre later to check, if you're concerned.
• A photo of the family and other comfort objects can be brought with the child, and are often happy reminders of home.