Vaccination policy at licensed BC daycare is a topic that generates strong feelings among parents. Here is what BC law requires of licensed centres, what parents are and are not required to disclose, and how the policy works in practice at Smiling Kids in Coquitlam.
BC Law on Vaccines and Licensed Childcare
BC does not have mandatory vaccination requirements for childcare enrollment. Unlike some other provinces, BC parents are not legally required to vaccinate their children as a condition of licensed daycare attendance.
However:
- BC public health officials can exclude unvaccinated children from licensed daycare settings during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease (e.g., measles, whooping cough) in the area.
- Licensed centres can ask parents whether a child is immunized — but cannot legally refuse enrollment based on immunization status alone.
- If a disease outbreak occurs at the centre and your unvaccinated child is in attendance, public health may require exclusion until the outbreak risk has passed.
What Immunization Records Licensed Centres Collect
BC licensed centres typically ask for immunization records as part of the enrollment package. This is voluntary under current BC law, but most centres request it for:
- Health planning and outbreak response coordination with Fraser Health
- Notification of parents if a vaccine-preventable illness is reported in the group
- Documentation of medical contraindications to vaccination (for children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons)
BC Immunization Schedule for Infants and Toddlers
BC Health provides a standard immunization schedule for children:
- 2 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
- 4 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
- 6 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, Pneumococcal, Influenza
- 12 months: MMR, Varicella, Meningococcal C
- 18 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, Pneumococcal booster
For current schedules, visit ImmunizeBC.ca.
Flu Shots at Daycare Age
BC’s universal influenza immunization program offers free flu shots for all BC residents each fall. For children in group daycare settings, annual influenza vaccination is strongly recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society because:
- Children under 5 are at higher risk of influenza complications
- Vaccination reduces transmission in group settings, protecting infants too young to be vaccinated
- Influenza is the most common illness-related reason for daycare absence
Smiling Kids Vaccination Policy
Smiling Kids Childcare Centre in North Coquitlam collects immunization information as part of enrollment documentation. We follow all Fraser Health guidance on illness exclusion, outbreak response, and public health notifications. Questions about our enrollment health requirements: 604-600-4393 | 1380 Coast Meridian Rd, North Coquitlam
BC Immunization Requirements for Licensed Daycare: What Coquitlam Parents Need to Know
BC does not mandate immunization for licensed daycare enrolment — vaccination is not a legal requirement to attend Smiling Kids or any other licensed daycare in BC. However, immunization policy and outbreak management at licensed daycares is governed by specific public health frameworks that affect all enrolled families. Here is what the framework means in practice.
What BC Public Health Requires of Licensed Daycares
- Licensed daycares must maintain immunization records for all enrolled children
- Fraser Health can require unimmunized children to be excluded from care during a declared outbreak of a vaccine-preventable illness (e.g., measles, chickenpox)
- Daycares must notify all families when a child in care is diagnosed with a reportable communicable disease
- Daycares must cooperate with Fraser Health investigations and follow exclusion timelines provided by public health
What This Means for Unvaccinated Children at Coquitlam Daycare
Unvaccinated children can be enrolled at Smiling Kids — there is no legal barrier. However, in the event of a declared outbreak of a vaccine-preventable illness at the daycare or in the Fraser Health region, unvaccinated children may be excluded from care for the duration of the outbreak and incubation period. This exclusion can range from 2–3 weeks (measles) to shorter periods for other illnesses, and it does not exempt families from paying daycare fees during exclusion. Planning for this possibility is part of informed decision-making about vaccination.
BC Immunization Schedule Reference
- 2 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, PCV13, Rotavirus
- 4 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, PCV13, Rotavirus
- 6 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, PCV13, Rotavirus, Influenza
- 12 months: MMR, Var, Men-C-C, PCV13
- 18 months: DTaP-IPV-Hib, MMR-Var booster
Ask your pediatrician or BC Public Health about the current schedule. Smiling Kids maintains all records required by Fraser Health. 1380 Coast Meridian Rd, Coquitlam. 604-600-4393.
For a complete guide to licensed daycare in Coquitlam — Fraser Health licensing, ECE/ITE credentials, CCFRI subsidies, and enrollment at Smiling Kids — visit our main Coquitlam daycare guide. Licensing details: Fraser Health licensed daycare Coquitlam.
