Westcoast Wave Newsletter - February 2026
Welcome to the February 2026 Newsletter!
This month brings a vibrant mix of learning opportunities, community celebrations, and family centred resources across Westcoast. As always, we’re proud to support early years professionals, families, and partners with programs that inspire growth, connection, and lifelong learning.
We’re excited to highlight several professional development opportunities in this issue, including our feature topic, Professional Development That Inspires. From ELF Off the Shelf, a reflective and experience driven exploration of the BC Early Learning Framework, to the upcoming cohorts of Nurturing Play & Beyond, educators have multiple ways to deepen their practice, gain tools for school age care, and expand their professional skills.
You’ll also find important ECEBC Winter 2026 bursary deadlines and information session dates—great news for those planning their educational journeys this spring. From driven exploration of the BC Early Learning Framework to the upcoming cohorts of school age care and expanding professional skills, you’ll also find important
Our February newsletter also includes features from across Westcoast:
- A warm welcome to new team members and heartfelt celebrations in our Library section
- Family supporting resources in our Parent & Guardian section
- As well as updates and toolkits from our Community Partners
- And important provincial updates in our Government News section!
Warmly,
Crystal Janes, Senior Director
Important Update: Correction to January Newsletter Hours
We recently discovered that our January newsletter included outdated or incorrect hours. Below are the correct and current hours for our Office, Library, and CCRR services. Thank you for your patience, and please save these updated hours for your reference. You can also find out hours of operation or any other closures on our website.
Westcoast Office Hours (Corrected)
Our office is currently staffed:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am–8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Library Hours (Corrected)
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am–8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Friday: 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
CCRR Hours (Corrected)
Our office is currently staffed:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am–8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am–4:00 pm
To make an appointment:
📞 604-709-5699
📧 parentservices@westcoastfamily.org
Westcoast Training
Looking for a way to stay engaged in your early years career and expand your 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.
To view previous and upcoming workshops, visit our calendar page.
Before registering, make sure to check out our Workshop FAQ's, Policies and Online Workshop Basics.
Few spaces left for ELF Off the Shelf! Delivered by Maryam Naddaf, this multi-day workshop series delivered by Westcoast in collaboration with Frog Hollow’s Reggio Inspired Learning Centre, is designed so educators not only learn about the BCELF but also live the concepts through active reflection and critical dialogue. Learning will take place through non-traditional ways rather than simply reading the ELF. View all details and register now here.
Enrollment is now open for the next two cohorts of Nurturing Play & Beyond, beginning March 7 and April 4, 2026. This comprehensive online-hybrid 27-hour certificate course, is beneficial for all early year's educators, including ECE assistants and those with responsible adult training. It is especially valuable to those working with middle-year children in school age child care programs. Register on The Hub for BC Early Years Professionals.
ECEBC has released key dates and details for the Winter 2026 semester for courses ending between January 1–April 30, 2026.
ECEBC’s Bursary Portal opened on February 2, 2026 (for applicants to begin preparing).
Application submission window is from March 2 at 7:00 am to March 13, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
Applicants who have not yet done so are encouraged to create an online portal account at www.ecebcportal.ca. Full bursary details can be found on ECEBC’s website under Bursaries & Grants.
ECEBC will also offer two Bursary Basics information sessions on February 4 and February 11, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The February 11 session will include ASL interpretation.
Organizations which would like a dedicated bursary basics session for their groups, can contact them at bursary@ecebc.ca to make arrangements, and for any questions or general inquiries.
Welcome Katie!
We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Katie, the newest member of our library staff! Katie brings a dynamic, friendly, and lovely presence to our team. Her experience, energy, and passion for organizing and supporting our patrons shines through. Katie exemplifies the heart of Westcoast's culture –respect, collaboration, and continuous learning. Her enthusiasm makes her a wonderful addition to the library. Come by our library and join us in welcoming Katie.
Congratulations Novem
We are thrilled to share the joyful news of a wonderful new addition to our colleague Novem’s family! We wish you an abundance of love, rest, and many warm cherished moments during this beautiful time. Congratulations! We are celebrating with you.
Have a Heart Day
In North America, we often associate February with Valentine’s Day, and there are other ways we can celebrate love and togetherness this February. Have a Heart Day happens every February, and this year the Lunar New Year also takes place in February!
Have a Heart Day takes place on February 14th, and regards advocating for resources, services, and support, for Indigenous children, and to bring awareness to the discrimination that is faced by them.
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society - Have a Heart Day
Lunar New Year
This year’s Lunar New Year falls on February 17th, and it is the Year of the Horse. Whether or not your family and culture traditionally celebrate Lunar New Year, there is always something to learn and events to partake in, around the city.
Lunar New Year Events in Vancouver
Promoting Healthy Families
‘Getting Non-sporty Kids Active’ Article (Nov. 13, 2025) – from ‘Keeping In Touch’, an eNewsletter to support BC families. ‘Just like the clothes you prefer to wear, sport and physical activity is a matter of personal choice and taste.’ In the article 24 activities to keep your non-sporty kids moving in ways they will enjoy, Susan Scandiffio offers tips to appeal to a variety of personality types and offer a range of suggestions that might appeal to children who are not instinctively attracted to physical activity and sports. Read the complete articles on the links above.
ABCs for New Parents
Complimentary printed copies of the book ABCs for New Parents are available for families at Westcoast’s office. This is a resource created by KidCare Canada to support families with newborns. Come and pick up your copy anytime during office hours.
Learning Centre - Digital Platform
The Perinatal Services BC team has been working on additional supports to help us share the Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre with the families and teams we work with. The Learning Centre is a digital platform offering evidence‑informed, up‑to‑date resources on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and infant feeding. It’s designed for:
- Pregnant and early parenting individuals and families
- Health care providers and perinatal educators
- Community organizations supporting families
Find the Learning Centre Communications toolkit here.
Our Kids' Health
BC Children’s Health Bridge and Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre announced the multi-language mental health resource campaign with Our Kids’ Health is complete and all multi-language resources are now permanently available on the BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre website here.
Learning Centre - Digital Platform
The Perinatal Services BC team has been working on additional supports to help us share the Pregnancy & Parent Learning Centre with the families and teams we work with. The Learning Centre is a digital platform offering evidence‑informed, up‑to‑date resources on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and infant feeding. It’s designed for:
- Pregnant and early parenting individuals and families
- Health care providers and perinatal educators
- Community organizations supporting families
Find the Learning Centre Communications toolkit here.
Our Kids' Health
BC Children’s Health Bridge and Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre announced the multi-language mental health resource campaign with Our Kids’ Health is complete and all multi-language resources are now permanently available on the BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre website here.
Child Care Operating Funding 2026 - 2027 Renewal
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) team is very excited to share a new resource that they have created to support families and child care providers in learning about ACCB and helping them to access funding.
The attached printable brochure can be used as a trifold brochure, or two-page document that can be placed or posted in offices or child care programs. It provides key details on eligibility requirements, direction on how to apply, and a QR code for clients to access additional information through the website:
Effective April 1, 2026, child care providers participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative must offer at least 9.5 hours of care, per day, before charging for extended hours.
Read more here (information is available in various languages at the bottom of the page).