BC parents have specific rights when it comes to their child’s licensed daycare — rights under the Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR), consumer protection legislation, and common law. Knowing these rights helps you advocate effectively for your child’s care and hold licensed centres accountable to provincial standards. For Smiling Kids Coquitlam: 604-600-4393. Daycare Coquitlam guide.
For information on BC childcare subsidies and licensed daycare regulations, visit the Government of BC Childcare Resources. Smiling Kids Childcare Centre is a licensed childcare facility meeting all BC childcare regulations.
Your Rights as a Parent at a BC Licensed Daycare
The Right to See the Facility Licence
BC’s CCLR requires licensed childcare operators to post the facility licence in a visible location accessible to parents. You have the right to see this licence at any time. It should show: the licence category, capacity (maximum number of children), licence number, and current validity date. If a centre refuses to show you their licence, that is a serious red flag and grounds to contact Fraser Health licensing directly.
The Right to Access Inspection Records
You have the right to ask to see the most recent Fraser Health inspection report for any centre where your child is enrolled or that you are evaluating. While BC does not publish these reports publicly (unlike Alberta), centres are expected to share them with parents. Quality centres keep them readily accessible. You can also request inspection information directly from Fraser Health under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
The Right to Unscheduled Visits During Operating Hours
Parents have the right to visit their child during operating hours without prior notice — this is explicitly recognized in BC’s childcare policy framework. A quality licensed centre welcomes unannounced parent visits. A centre that requires prior notice for parental visits (beyond a brief phone call at the door) should be viewed with concern. At Smiling Kids, parents are welcome to visit during the day.
The Right to Incident Reports
Under CCLR, licensed operators must provide written incident reports to parents for any incident involving their child (injury, significant behaviour, illness onset, first aid). You have the right to receive these reports. You also have the right to request copies of any incident reports involving your child from the centre.
The Right to Written Notice Before Fee Changes
Your parent service agreement must specify the notice period required before fee increases. BC consumer protection principles require that fee changes comply with the terms of your agreement. Typically 30-60 days’ written notice before a fee increase is standard. Retroactive fee increases are not permitted.
The Right to Withdraw Your Child
You can withdraw your child from any daycare at any time, subject to the notice period in your parent service agreement (typically 2-4 weeks). Review the withdrawal terms in your parent service agreement before signing — some centres have longer notice periods or deposit loss terms for short-notice withdrawals.
The Right to Make a Complaint to Fraser Health
If you believe a licensed Coquitlam daycare is violating CCLR standards (ratio, safe sleep, illness exclusion, etc.), you have the right to make a complaint to Fraser Health’s Licensing Department. Fraser Health is obligated to investigate complaints about licensed facilities. Complaints can be made anonymously. This right is separate from any complaint process the centre itself offers.
How Smiling Kids Supports Parent Rights
At Smiling Kids: our facility licence is posted at the entrance; we provide written incident reports within 24 hours of any incident; we welcome parent visits during operating hours; and we share our most recent Fraser Health inspection report upon request. Call 604-600-4393 or contact us.
Related: what happens when a daycare licence is revoked | daycare inspection records BC | BC CCLR explained.
