Infant Care Program Coquitlam BC | Licensed Group Care 6 Months to 3 Years

Smiling Kids Childcare Centre operates a Fraser Health licensed infant care program in Coquitlam, BC for babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years. Our North Coquitlam location at 1380 Coast Meridian Road provides licensed group care with Registered ECEs holding Infant/Toddler Education credentials, a 1:4 staff-to-child ratio, and BC childcare subsidies including CCFRI and ACCB.

Program Overview — Infant Care at Smiling Kids

• Ages served: 6 months to 36 months (3 years)
• License type: Group Child Care Under 36 Months (Fraser Health)
• Group size: Maximum 12 children per licensed group
• Ratio: 1 educator per 4 children — maintained at all times
• Staff credentials: Registered ECE + Infant/Toddler Education (ITE) certificate
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Address: 1380 Coast Meridian Rd, Coquitlam, BC V3E 0E9
• Subsidies: CCFRI (up to $900/mo) and ACCB (up to $1,250/mo) accepted

What Your Baby Does Each Day

Our infant program is built around predictable routines, responsive caregiving, and a rich sensory environment. No two babies are the same — we follow each infant’s individual schedule for feeding, sleeping, and awake time rather than imposing a group timetable.

During awake and alert periods, infants in our program experience:

• Tummy time: Daily supported tummy time to build neck, shoulder, and core strength
• Sensory exploration: Age-appropriate textures, sounds, lights, and objects — changed regularly to maintain novelty
• Language immersion: Educators narrate care routines, sing, read aloud, and respond to vocalizations — building early language circuits
• Supported movement: Floor play, supported sitting, and movement that follows each child’s developmental stage
• Outdoor time: Age-appropriate fresh air and nature exposure, weather permitting
• One-on-one responsive care: Feeding, diapering, and settling done with full attention to the individual infant

BC Licensing for Infant Group Care — What It Means

In British Columbia, licensed group care for infants and toddlers under 36 months is the most heavily regulated childcare category. Under the Child Care Licensing Regulation:

• Maximum group size: 12 children per group (regardless of ages within the under-36-months range)
• Staff-to-child ratio: 1:4 — one qualified educator for every four infants or toddlers
• ITE requirement: For groups of 5 or more under-36-months children, the “qualified staff member” must hold an Infant/Toddler Education (ITE) certificate — a specialized post-ECE credential focused on the unique developmental needs of the 0-to-3 age group
• Health authority oversight: Fraser Health Authority licenses and inspects all Coquitlam infant care centres, including Smiling Kids

These requirements exist because infants require more specialized, attentive care than older children. When comparing infant care options in Coquitlam, licensing is the single most important factor — it guarantees minimum staff qualifications, ratio compliance, and formal oversight. Fraser Health’s Coquitlam line is 604-949-7700 for licence verification.

BC Childcare Subsidies for Infant Care

Infant care is the most expensive category of licensed group childcare in BC — typical full-time costs in Coquitlam range from $1,400 to $2,000 per month before subsidies. BC families have access to two major programs:

CCFRI — Automatic Fee Reduction (Up to $900/Month)

The Childcare Fee Reduction Initiative reduces fees automatically at participating centres. No separate application is needed. Smiling Kids participates — the CCFRI reduction is applied directly to your invoice. For infants, this can reduce a $1,600/month fee to approximately $700/month before any income-tested support.

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

The Affordable Child Care Benefit provides up to $1,250/month additional subsidy for infant care, income-tested for BC families earning under approximately $111,000/year. Apply at childcare.gov.bc.ca. The ACCB is applied on top of CCFRI, renews annually, and is not retroactive — start the application as soon as you have a confirmed start date.

Many Coquitlam families pay $0–$400/month for licensed infant care after both subsidies. Check your eligibility for BC childcare subsidies.

Infant Care Waitlists in Coquitlam — Plan Early

Licensed infant care spots in Coquitlam are among the scarcest childcare resources in the region. Most quality centres maintain waitlists of 12 to 18 months for under-18-months spaces. If your baby is currently newborn to 6 months old and you need care starting at 12 months (typical return from BC maternity leave), you should be on waitlists by the time your baby is born — ideally before.

To add your child to the Smiling Kids waitlist: call 604-600-4393 or submit an inquiry online. We can advise on expected availability based on current enrollment.

Transition: From Infant Room to Toddler Room

Children in our infant program transition to our toddler room (18 months to 3 years) when they are developmentally ready — typically around 18 months. The transition is managed gradually, with the child spending increasing time in the toddler room before making the full move. Families receive advance notice of at least 4 weeks before any room transition.

Frequently Asked Questions — Infant Care in Coquitlam BC

What is the youngest age you accept infants?

We accept babies from 6 months of age. Most BC maternity and parental leave runs 12–18 months, meaning most families with infants in group care are starting between 12 and 18 months. We accept all ages from 6 months through 36 months in our licensed infant/toddler program.

Do infants follow a group schedule?

No. Infants under approximately 15 months follow their own individual schedules for feeding and sleeping. We do not impose a group nap time on young infants — each baby sleeps and feeds on their own biological rhythm. As children move into the toddler stage, a shared routine gradually emerges, but it remains flexible.

What do I need to send each day?

For infants: labelled breast milk or formula, diapers and wipes, two changes of clothes, a familiar comfort object if applicable (soother, small stuffed animal), and any required medications with a signed authorization form. We provide cribs/cots, bedding, sunscreen, and developmentally appropriate toys.

How do I know if a centre is really licensed?

Ask to see the licence posted in the facility — all licensed BC centres are required to display their current licence. You can also verify any centre’s status by calling Fraser Health at 604-949-7700 or searching the BC Childcare Licensing database online.

Book a Tour of Our Coquitlam Infant Care Program

We offer free 30-minute tours of our infant and toddler rooms. Call 604-600-4393 or request a tour online — we respond within one business day.

See also: Infant Daycare Coquitlam | Licensed Daycare Coquitlam BC | BC Childcare Subsidies Coquitlam