Infant care in BC for children 3 months to 18 months is regulated under the Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR) and governed by BC’s Infant and Toddler Educator (ITE) certification requirement. Understanding how BC infant care works — licensing, ratios, subsidies, and quality standards — helps families make informed choices wherever they are in the province. For Coquitlam’s Smiling Kids infant programme: infant daycare Coquitlam | 604-600-4393.
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.
BC Infant Care Regulations — What Parents Should Know
- 1:4 ratio: Maximum 4 infants per educator in licensed Group Child Care Under 36 Months — enforced by regional health authorities including Fraser Health (Tri-Cities/Coquitlam)
- ITE certification required: All educators in infant/toddler rooms must hold both ECE certificate and Infant and Toddler Educator (ITE) specialty certification
- Safe sleep standards: Back-only sleeping on firm, flat surfaces in individual labelled sleep spaces — no loose blankets, wedges, or positioners — consistent with BC Safe Sleep Guidelines for Children 0-2
- Regional health authority inspection: Licensed infant care facilities inspected 1-2 times annually by the regional health authority (Fraser Health in Coquitlam/Metro Vancouver area)
Full regulation guide: BC Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR) | Fraser Health licensing Coquitlam.
BC Infant Care Subsidies 2026
Two programs reduce the cost of licensed infant care anywhere in BC:
- CCFRI: Approximately $700-950/month automatic reduction at participating licensed infant care centres. No application for families — automatic upon enrollment at a CCFRI-participating centre
- ACCB: Additional income-tested benefit up to ~$1,250/month per child for families under ~$45K household income. Application required through ChildCareBC.ca. Apply with your most recent Notice of Assessment.
Combined, these programs make licensed BC infant care effectively free or very low cost for lower-income families. BC childcare subsidy 2026 | ACCB BC guide | free childcare BC 2026.
How to Find Licensed Infant Care in BC
- ChildCareBC.ca: BC’s licensed childcare search tool — filter for “Group Child Care Under 36 Months” and CCFRI participation in your postal code area
- Regional health authority: Contact your regional health authority to confirm a specific centre’s active licence status
- Start early: BC infant waitlists are 3-12 months at quality centres — begin during pregnancy for care starting at 4-6 months
- Apply to multiple centres simultaneously
For Coquitlam specifically: find daycare Coquitlam | Coquitlam waitlist guide.
Smiling Kids — Licensed Infant Care in BC’s Tri-Cities Region
Smiling Kids Childcare Centre in North Coquitlam is licensed for Group Child Care Under 36 Months under BC’s CCLR, inspected by Fraser Health, and provides infant care from 3 months. Our ITE-certified educators, 1:4 ratio, CCFRI participation, and primary educator assignment model align with every BC quality standard for infant care. Call 604-600-4393 to discuss availability.
