Little Steps and Nature Daycare
The Victoria West Community Association offers two options for Licensed Daycare for children ages 3-5 We have our Little Steps Daycare and an all day Nature Daycare.
The Little Steps program has an indoor classroom for activities and play based learning. In additional, children spend at least 2 hours each day in active play, usually outside. Little Steps emphasizes the value of unstructured learning that allows children to make choices, experiment, and use hands on exploration with materials in the daycare and outdoor environment. The toys and activities are developmentally appropriate to support your child’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive needs. We strive to allow children to make their own choices and explore in an environment which is physically safe, cognitively challenging, and emotionally nurturing.
Our full day Nature Daycare offers a curriculum that supports a deep connection to nature. This program interacts with nature both as the teacher and the classroom. Our core values include creative play-and inquiry-based learning, often child-led or child-centred activities, diversity and risky play. Our Nature Daycare includes some indoor time but children spend the majority of their day outside in the beautiful Banfield Park. We will explore the ever changing natural world throughout all seasons and in all kinds of weather, safety permitting.
Important Information Registration commences in March for Fall intake. Children must be between the ages of 3-5 years old and already toilet competent. Priority is given first to internal families, then external families wanting full time care. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page for step by step instructions regarding the enrollment process.
Click here to see the 2024/25 Calendar for Little Steps and the Nature Daycare.
For more information contact the Childcare Manager:
Jack Tracy – Phone: 250-590-8922, ext 1, Email: childcaremanager@victoriawest.ca
| Daycare Fees 2024/2025 | Monthly Rate after CCFRI |
| 5 days/week | $563.00 |
| 3* days/week | $337.80 |
| 2* days/week | $225.20 |
* 3 Days a Week is Monday, Wednesday and Friday
* 2 Days a Week is Tuesday and Thursday
Fee reductions are based on the BC CCFRI and subject to change.
Out of School Kids’ Club
The Victoria West Community Association offers a Licensed Before and After school program for those enrolled at Vic West Elementary. VWCA OSC Kids’ Clubs offer school age kids a safe and nurturing space to move, explore, socialize and create. We are committed to helping kids grow strong physically, socially and emotionally. We promote using words to solve conflicts and building self-confidence is a large part of the program. We strive to allow children to make their own choices and explore in an environment that is physically safe, cognitively challenging and emotionally nurturing.
Important Information Registration commences mid-March for Fall intake. Children must be between the ages of 5 & 12 years old and enrolled at Vic West Elementary School. Priority is given first to internal families, then external families wanting both before and after school care, and then all other families.
Click here to see the 2024/25 Calendar for the OSC Kids’ Club.
For more information contact the OSC Kids Club Team Lead:
Jackie Inglis – Phone: 250-508-0142 Email: outofschoolcare@victoriawest.ca
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Out of School Kids Club Fees – 2024/25 Before & After School Care
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| Monthly Rate | Kindergarten, After CCFRI | Grades 1 – 5, After CCFRI | |
| 5 days/week | $468.00 | $319.00** | $395.50** |
| 3 days/week | $280.80 | $191.40** | $237.30** |
| 2 days/week | $187.20 | $127.60** | $158.20** |
** Fee reductions are based on the BC CCFRI and subject to change.
Please see below for information regarding the application process.
Application Process
Make sure you have the following information/forms that will be required to upload in the online registration form :
-BC MSP (medical services plan) number or other insurance
-name and number of family doctor. If you do not have a family doctor, please provide the name and number of your preferred walk in/medical clinic.
-up to date immunization records
-recent photos of your child with clear view of their face (not hats please)
-legal copy of custody restrictions (if applicable)
-Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan (if applicable)
A mandatory on-site tour will be scheduled for Daycare applications to ensure our program is the right fit for you and your child.
If there is space in our program, you will then be asked to pay a non-refundable admin fee and deposit. DO NOT pay this until your space in our program has been confirmed by the childcare manager. This can be paid at https://victoriawest.recdesk.com/Community/Program. If you do not already have a RecDesk account, you’ll need to create one and then you can go to “Childcare” and “Admin Fee” to process the payment. Please let us know when this step is completed.
Written confirmation of your acceptance will be emailed to the address provided. If you have not received written confirmation, you are not yet part of the program.
Application Information for the September Intake
Enrollment in the Out-of-School Kids’ Club is for the current school year only (September – June). You will need to re-register in February if you would like to attend for the following school year.
Both daycare programs operate year round and enrollment will continue until you withdraw from Daycare. Since many children leave each September to start Kindergarten, our largest intake is for the fall.
Families with children currently enrolled in our childcare programs (Daycare & Out-of-School Care) will have priority for the following year. Spaces remaining will then open to new families.
Families with children currently enrolled in our Childcare programs will be able to drop off sibling applications for the September intake (Little Steps, Nature Daycare and Out of School Kids Club) in February each year. Current families will have until the end February to submit their applications before intake opens to new families.
Applications for all our Childcare programs for the September intake will open to potential new families in March.
Families who have gotten a spot in our programs will receive an email notification by June 1st. If you have not received a confirmation email then your child is not enrolled.
VWCA does not keep a waitlist. Occasionally spaces become available throughout the year. Feel free to contact the Childcare Manager or Team Lead by phone or by email on the first day of the month prior to the month you are looking to begin care, to enquire about availability.