The Children's Centre is a not-for-profit childcare centre operated by Capilano University and licensed by the Provincial Government.
We are known for our committed and professional Early Childhood Educators who, together with the children, create rich early learning experiences for a maximum capacity of 69 children from birth to kindergarten.
Our educators are committed to the ECEBC Code of Ethics, which can be found in the drop down menus below.
Our mandate
Capilano University Children's Centre has a mandate to serve the University community through the provision of high quality early learning and care to the children of students and employees.
Child care spaces are first offered to children of Capilano University domestic students, then children of employees and then children of international students.
Children of community members may be admitted if space is available. Our priority registration policy is in the menu below.
Families are an integral part of the life of the Centre and open, honest and respectful partnerships with families are essential.
The Children's Centre strives for the creation of an environment characterized by families' participation in the life of the Centre and in their children's explorations and processes.
Through collaboration with parents the Centre is able to develop a quality child care community that respects and values the uniqueness and contribution of all children and families.
The Children's Centre is committed to the language of pedagogy that has come to us from Reggio Emilia, Italy: a language of beauty, artistry, curiosity, invention, listening and dialogue.
Taking inspiration from the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach, the Children's Centre began working with a pedagogista and an atelierista 15 years ago. To this day we remain the only child care centre in Canada that works with both of these roles.
Over the years, we have developed an intimate work with critical pedagogies of place; our efforts driven by creating innovative and situated pedagogies that evoke the history of our experience here at the Centre.
Our early learning classrooms are pedagogical spaces; spaces of co-constructed emergent curriculum, exploration and experimentation. The Children's Centre is not a space for children but one created with children.
Young children are viewed as "capable and full of potential; as persons with complex identities, grounded in their individual strengths and capacities" (BC's Early Learning Framework) who actively participate in our common world.
We work closely with B.C.'s Early Learning Framework, which is a provincial document that pushes the boundary of professionalism and the role of the educator. It supports early childhood educators in challenging "people's oversimplified ideas about early years care and education." It is a document that encourages educators to be inventive and responsive to the time that we live in.
The Children's Centre functions as an academic laboratory that supports course curriculum and experiential, practice based classroom learning for students.
The Children's Centre works in partnership with the Capilano University School of Education and Childhood Studies in the provision of the education of future educators.
All student activities are carefully supervised and mentored by the educators of the Centre and ECCE faculty, and the needs of the children are always given first consideration.
- Promote the health and well-being of all children.
- Provide high-quality early care and learning environments for all children by drawing on specialized knowledge, education, and diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrate caring and compassion for all children through responsive and reciprocal relationships.
- Work in partnership with families, supporting them in meeting their responsibilities for their children.
- Establish and maintain respectful partnerships with colleagues, allied professionals, community partners, and decision-makers to support the well-being of children and their families.
- Work in ways that affirm and enhance human dignity, respect fundamental human rights, and celebrate difference and diversity.
- Maintain the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness needed to be professionally competent.
- Prioritize our personal health and well-being.
- Demonstrate integrity and respect in our professional relationships.
- Advocate that our profession is vital to establishing healthy and resilient communities.
Visit Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) for their Code of Ethics.
To put your name on the waitlist for the Children's Centre, please fill out the online Waitlist Application Form. You will only be contacted when we are able to offer you a space and, at that time, a non-refundable $150 administrative fee is required.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to give tours of the centre until a spot is available.
B.C.'s provincial government has committed to making child care more affordable for families in all areas of the province. Capilano University Children's Centre has been selected as a $10/day ChildCareBC Centre and as a result is happy to offer lower child care fees.
For more information on the provincial fee reduction initiative, visit ChildCareBC.
Monthly childcare fees as of December 1, 2022 are $10 a day to a maximum of $200 per month:
Full-time
- $200/month
Part-time
- $120/month for 3 days/week
- $80/month for 2 days/week
Fees are paid by pre-authorized debit agreement, or payroll deduction for Capilano University employees.
Applications for the provincial government Affordable Child Care Benefit can be made at Affordable Child Care Benefit through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
The phone number for the child care service centre is 1 888 338 6622. The fax number is 1 877 544 0699. Please note that two to three weeks are required for processing the application
Capilano University Children's Centre has a mandate to serve the University community through the provision of high quality early learning and care to the children of students and employees and, where possible, the broader community.
Additionally, the Centre provides the University community with a vibrant academic resource, welcoming both faculty and students.
Due to limited space, the University prioritizes enrollment in the order as follows:
- Siblings of children enrolled in the Children's Centre whose families currently work or study at Capilano University
- Full-time (minimum of 9 credits) Capilano University domestic students
- Current Capilano University employees/faculty
- Incoming Capilano University employees/faculty
- Full-time (minimum of 9 credits) Capilano University International students
- Community Members
A number of spaces will also be made available to children requiring extra support, in partnership with the North Shore Supported Child Development Program.
Irrespective of the above enrollment priorities, exceptional admissions may take place in consultation with the manager of the Children's Centre and the Dean of Education, Health and Human Development.
Note: the Children's Centre is committed to maximizing access to care for as many families as possible. To be eligible for full-time care you need proof that you require this care in order to work or attend school. If you work or study part-time, it is a part-time spot that you will be offered.
Exceptions will be made for child care required due to a medical condition, as well as those who are referred by a Social Worker.
Capilano University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that respects the dignity, diversity, and rights of all individuals. We actively strive to eliminate barriers, promote equity, and ensure accessibility for all members of our community. As part of this commitment by Capilano University, the Children's Centre upholds the principles of fair and equitable treatment for all families in alignment with the B.C. Human Rights Code.
The Centre is open *Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We are closed on statutory holidays, the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, two staff professional days per year and two days for planning and organizing.
A list of closure dates will be provided at the start of each new year. Please note that closure dates and statutory holidays are not refunded and monthly fees are due in full.
*Hours of operation are subject to change.
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