Westcoast Wave Newsletter - April 2026
Welcome to the April 2026 Newsletter!
As spring settles into Vancouver and the days grow brighter, we’re welcomed into April with a renewed sense of possibility. This month’s newsletter arrives with the same spirit—fresh, uplifting, and full of growth.
In this issue, we highlight exciting professional development opportunities, share moments from recent events in our Library and community spaces, and present the results of our 2026 School Age Child Care Fee Survey—our first in-depth update since 2023.
Alongside these updates, you’ll find new resources for families and child care providers, as well as important provincial news that supports internationally trained Early Childhood Educators entering the field with fewer barriers. Whether you're seeking inspiration, training, or sector updates, we hope this April edition brings a bit of “spring energy” to your work with children and families.
Thank you for being part of the Westcoast community, and for the meaningful ways you help children and educators grow every day—much like everything else beginning to bloom around us.
Warmly,
Crystal Janes, Senior Director
BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast
Help us spread the word about our podcast, BC’s Path to Universal Child Care, and become a listener if you are not one already. Listen now to this month's episode of BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 6: Safiya Ayuen - Why Childcare Matters: Even If You Don't Have Children.
Child care and early childhood education in BC continue to evolve, and we’re here to help you stay informed. Each edition, we gather insights and timely updates for families, early years educators, ECE students and service providers. We invite you to listen together with colleagues and share your own experiences and perspectives as part of this ongoing conversation.
Listen to past engaging episodes as we wrap up season 5, wherever you get your podcasts, and on our website under News & Articles.
Westcoast Training
Looking for a way to stay engaged with your peers and learn new skills? Check out the professional development courses happening at Westcoast!
Our courses and workshops support the implementation of the BC Early Learning Framework, Schedule G of the BC Child Care Licensing Regulation and the Early Childhood Educators of BC Code of Ethics.
Create a free WCCRC account to register for our courses, workshops, access certificates and view your transaction receipts.
Sign in here or create a free WCCRC account to get started.
To view previous and upcoming workshops, visit our calendar page.
Before registering, check out our Workshop FAQ's, Policies and Online Workshop Basics.
Responsible Adult In Child Care Settings Course
Are you thinking about a career in Early Childhood Education but not sure if it’s the right fit for you?
Or are you considering opening a family child care program and would like to learn more about child development and ways to support families?
Join us for our upcoming Responsible Adult Course, developed by WCCRC, and gain valuable knowledge and skills to begin your journey in child care.
Westcoast Family Centres offers engaging workshops and groups that provide resources for parents and families in the Lower Mainland. Our programs range from parent education to parent support groups to activity programs for children. Our evidence-based programs and workshops are focused on strengthening your connection with your child and family, and foster connections with other families in your community.
Learn more about our upcoming groups offered this Spring on our events calendar, from Empowering Mom's Group in Farsi, Successful Co-Parenting, and other drop-in programs such as Baby & Me, Power of Play, Little Explorers and more!
WELL News
In March, we had the pleasure of once again hosting Frog Hollow’s Learning Centre. Their interactive exhibit displayed their ‘Messiness Gallery’, with photographs and video, including their program’s pedagogical documentation of children's experiences, with educators on site to continue engaging in dialogues and wonderings. The exhibit included ‘interactive messiness’ in the form of paper towels and string, showcasing the fun and functionality of including messy play in the lives and education of children.
The messy way of learning is also something that we support in our Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL), with a variety of loose parts from the natural and recycled world, as well as with STEAM kits that include various household items with the purpose of using them as painting materials, or anything children's imagination demand.
Come visit our library! Follow this link to find our hours of operation.
For Parents & Guardians
We have completed our 2026 School Age Child Care Fee Survey; the first one since 2023. We appreciate all those programs who took part in this important work, providing us with comprehensive data which helps City and child care planners as well as families and programs, understand the cost of school age care in the City of Vancouver.
Notes
Notes: School age centres in the City of Vancouver were contacted by Westcoast and asked for their monthly rates as of January 2026. Starting September 1, 2023, the amount of the Provincial Fee Reduction was $320 for Kindergarten, and $115 for Grade 1 to age 12.
According to our fee survey, we have a total of 63 school aged programs that charge a kindercare fee. Without fee reduction, the average for Kindercare before/after school is $507.95 and with fee reduction the average for Kindercare before/after school is $241.28.
In 2026, there were 129 participants and 74 replied (57%). There were 14 $10/day school age programs that we didn’t include. Effective September 2018, maximum monthly Affordable Child Care Benefit for licensed school age child care is $415. Rates and understanding payments - Province of British Columbia
Talk to Yourself More — But Be Kind
In a recent Exchange Magazine feature, readers are reminded that self-talk is a powerful tool for focus, problem-solving, and motivation—but only when it's rooted in kindness. Research shared through ExchangeEveryDay highlights that while talking to ourselves is often stigmatized, it is actually a widely used strategy among successful people to clarify thinking and regulate emotions. The key is shifting from harsh, self‑critical inner dialogue to supportive, compassionate self‑talk, as “words are energy… and can change your life,” a message underscored in the article. The piece also connects this mindset to heart‑centered leadership, encouraging individuals at all levels to create environments where authenticity, openness about mistakes, and celebrating effort are valued. Read the article here.
The Exchange ECE Community offers tools and reflections to help groups engage in meaningful conversations about overcoming self‑criticism and fostering healthier internal and external communication.
Safe Sleep for Babies
Health Canada emphasizes the importance of creating a safe sleep environment everywhere a baby sleeps. Whether it’s naptime or nighttime – a baby’s sleep environment is always important.
Creating a safer sleep environment for babies is part of keeping them healthy.
Families are welcome to explore the Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre’s Safer Sleep module to find more ways to make a safer sleep environment for babies. Link to view and download Instagram carousel graphic
Check out these upcoming Emotions BC programs for families and caregivers supporting a loved one experiencing mental health challenges.
Emotional Skills Program (ESP) - Virtual
March 31 – May 5, 2026 (Tuesday evenings)
A structured, peer-led program providing practical, evidence-informed tools to help families and caregivers reduce stress, strengthen communication, and prevent escalation of family crisis.
Intake form, closing March 17th: https://emotionsbc.ca/essential-skills-program/
Mindfulness Workshops - Langley, BC
March 28 (part 1) and April 11 (part 2) (Saturdays from 9am-1pm)
Open to all mindfulness experience levels, this two-part workshop focuses on self-regulation, stress reduction, and sustainable self-care practices in a safe and manageable environment.
Registration link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/2-part-mindfulness-workshop-march--2026
Affordable Child Care Benefit – New Resources
New resources have been created for families and child care providers with information about the program and how to access funding. ACCB is a child care benefit available to help parents and guardians with the cost of full or half-day childcare in BC.
This informative video is now available in YouTube and on the ACCB website, walking families through applying for ACCB through My Family Services.
BC ECE Registry
Today, the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry launched a new application pathway for qualified, internationally certified ECEs from more than 30 countries – removing barriers so they can continue their careers in B.C. and start working sooner.
Internationally trained applicants holding valid ECE certification from these countries may be able to apply for an ECE Five Year Certificate in B.C. using work experience from outside Canada. Please check the Apply with education completed outside of Canada web page for more information.
Eligible applicants can now apply for certification through My ECE Registry.
Coinciding with the launch of the Canadian work experience exemption pathway for international applicants is an amendment to section 25 of the Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR) removing the requirement for Canadian work experience for international ECEs who meet the requirements outlined in the International Credentials Recognition Regulation.
The update also includes refreshing the list of recognized educational institutions (Schedule D) in the CCLR.
These changes do not affect early childhood educator applicants trained in B.C. or other provinces.
Learn more about international credential recognition on the Office for International Credential Recognition website and in the Credential Recognition: Your Path to Professional Licensure guide.