Toddler care in BC for children 18 months to 36 months (3 years) is regulated under BC’s Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR) and requires the same ITE (Infant and Toddler Educator) certification as infant rooms. Families across BC searching for licensed toddler care can access the same provincial subsidies (CCFRI and ACCB) at any participating licensed centre. For Coquitlam: toddler daycare Coquitlam BC. Call 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 Licensed Toddler Care — Regulatory Framework
Licensed toddler care in BC (18-36 months) under Group Child Care Under 36 Months licence category:
- 1:4 educator-to-child ratio: Same as infant rooms — maximum 4 children per ITE-certified educator
- ITE certification required: All educators in toddler rooms must hold Infant and Toddler Educator (ITE) specialty certification, not just general ECE
- Physical environment standards: Toddler rooms must have both indoor and outdoor space meeting CCLR square footage minimums for age-appropriate motor development
- Programming requirements: Must follow BC Early Learning Framework principles — play-based, inquiry-driven, relationship-centred
Guide: BC Child Care Licensing Regulation (CCLR).
When Do Children Move to the Toddler Room in BC?
In most BC licensed centres, the transition from the infant room to the toddler room happens around 18 months — when children are typically walking independently and developmentally ready for the more active, peer-focused toddler environment. Some centres transition at 15 months; others wait until 20 months. The decision should be based on developmental readiness, not strictly on chronological age. How Smiling Kids prepares infants for the toddler room transition.
What Toddlers Do in BC Licensed Group Care
Quality BC licensed toddler care provides:
- Daily outdoor time with gross motor challenges (year-round in BC’s climate with appropriate gear)
- Language-rich programming: storytime, music, educator narration during play
- Open-ended art and sensory experiences (process art, playdough, sensory bins)
- Dramatic and imaginative play (rotating theme areas — kitchen, construction, veterinary)
- Block and construction play (spatial reasoning, early STEM)
- Peer social interaction under educator guidance (the unique developmental benefit of group care)
Programme details: play-based learning at daycare | toddler language development at daycare.
BC Toddler Care Subsidies 2026
CCFRI and ACCB subsidies apply to toddler care (18-36 months) the same way they do to infant care:
- CCFRI: ~$700-900/month automatic fee reduction at participating licensed centres
- ACCB: Up to ~$1,250/month income-tested additional benefit (application required)
In many cases, toddler care is slightly less expensive than infant care at the same centre — meaning CCFRI and ACCB may cover a larger percentage of the gross fee for toddlers than infants. BC childcare subsidy 2026 | affordable daycare Coquitlam.
Smiling Kids — Licensed Toddler Care in BC’s Tri-Cities
Smiling Kids in North Coquitlam provides licensed toddler care for children 18 months through 3 years. Our toddler room is led by ITE-certified educators with a 1:4 ratio, daily outdoor time, and CCFRI-participating fees. Call 604-600-4393 or contact us. Full toddler programme: toddler daycare Coquitlam BC.
