Childcare Enrollment Coquitlam BC | How to Get Started | Smiling Kids

Enrolling your infant or toddler in licensed childcare in Coquitlam requires planning — often 12 to 18 months in advance for the most sought-after spaces. This guide walks Coquitlam families through every step of the enrollment process at Smiling Kids Childcare Centre, from initial inquiry to first day.

Step 1: Start Your Search Early

Licensed infant and toddler care spots in Coquitlam are among the scarcest in BC. Most quality centres maintain waitlists of 12 to 18 months for under-36-months spaces. Our recommendation by child’s current age:

• Newborn to 3 months: Get on waitlists now if you want care starting at 12 months (typical BC mat leave end)
• 3 to 6 months: Contact centres immediately — most waitlists are already 12+ months for infant spots
• 6 to 12 months: You may need flexibility on start date or care type
• 12 to 18 months: Toddler spots may be more available than infant; check all licensed centres in your area

Step 2: Contact Smiling Kids and Join Our Waitlist

To add your child to our waitlist, call 604-600-4393 or submit an inquiry online. We will ask for your child’s name, date of birth, the care type needed (infant vs toddler), your preferred start date, and your contact information.

Waitlist placement does not guarantee a space — it means you will be contacted when a space matching your child’s age and your preferred start date becomes available. We contact families approximately 4–8 weeks before a space opens.

Step 3: Tour the Centre

When a space becomes available, we invite families for a tour of Smiling Kids before committing. Tours are free, approximately 30 minutes, and run Monday to Friday during program hours. During the tour you will:

• See the infant and/or toddler room in operation
• Meet the educators who would care for your child
• Review our daily schedule, curriculum approach, and policies
• Ask any questions about licensing, ratios, or subsidy eligibility
• Review our parent handbook

Step 4: Confirm Your Space and Complete Enrollment Documents

If you decide Smiling Kids is the right fit, a deposit is required to hold your space. We will then provide a full enrollment package that includes:

• Child information form (medical history, allergies, emergency contacts)
• Authorization forms (sunscreen, field trips, medication administration, photos)
• BC licensed childcare requirements disclosure
• CCFRI and ACCB subsidy information and application guidance
• Parent handbook acknowledgment

Step 5: Apply for BC Childcare Subsidies

BC offers two major childcare subsidy programs. We strongly recommend applying before your child’s start date as the ACCB is not retroactive:

CCFRI — Up to $900/Month Automatic

Applied directly to your fees at Smiling Kids — no application needed. You benefit from CCFRI automatically when you enroll at a participating licensed centre.

ACCB — Up to $1,250/Month Income-Tested

Apply at childcare.gov.bc.ca — you will need a Notice of Assessment from CRA, your childcare provider’s licence number, and your expected start date. Processing can take 2–4 weeks, so apply as soon as you have a confirmed enrollment.

Check your ACCB eligibility — families earning under $111,000 typically qualify for some level of support.

Step 6: The Transition Period

For new children, we use a graduated transition into full-day care:

• Day 1–2: 2–3 hour visit; parent present for some or all of it
• Day 3–4: 4–5 hours with a settled separation from parent
• Day 5+: Move toward full-day schedule based on child’s settling pattern

Most children are fully settled into the program within 2–3 weeks. We provide a written or verbal settling report for the first 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions — Childcare Enrollment Coquitlam BC

How many centres should I put my child on the waitlist for?

As many as possible. Most Coquitlam parents put their child on 3–6 waitlists simultaneously. Accepting a space at Smiling Kids does not prevent you from being on other waitlists. You simply notify us if you accept elsewhere, and the next family on our list is contacted.

What is the enrollment process if I need care urgently?

Occasionally a space opens with less than 4 weeks notice due to a family leaving unexpectedly. In these cases, we contact the next family on our list and compress the transition period if needed. If you need urgent care, let us know when adding to the waitlist — we may be able to accommodate depending on availability.

Is there a registration fee?

A deposit is required upon accepting a space to hold it. This amount is credited toward your first month’s fees. There is no application or registration fee for being added to our waitlist.

Start Your Enrollment at Smiling Kids Childcare Centre

Call 604-600-4393 or submit an inquiry online to join our Coquitlam childcare waitlist.

See also: Licensed Daycare Coquitlam BC | BC Childcare Subsidy Eligibility 2026 | North Coquitlam Daycare