Archie MontroseWe all know the first few years are make-or-break for our child’s development. But as much as we’d love to be there every step of the way, sometimes life throws us curveballs, and daycare becomes a reality.
And let’s be honest, the thought of leaving our precious babes with someone else can bring on a wave of separation anxiety. Trust me, I’ve been there!
Luckily, this guide will help you navigate the Vancouver daycare scene and find the perfect nurturing environment for your child. Keep reading for tips, resources, and everything you need to find the ideal daycare fit!
How much do daycare centers charge in Vancouver?
Daycare centers charge between $1,000 and $1,200 monthly, depending on the center, the child’s age, and program options. Government subsidies may be available to help ease the financial burden.
How We Chose
1. Bee House Montessori Daycare
Bee House Montessori’s program is based on the Montessori Method, which is exactly what we were looking for. It’s all about learning through play, and it’s been awesome to see our little one develop in so many ways, not just academically.
One of the things we like about Montessori is that it’s like a huge, fun exploration zone with a focus on self-directed learning. The teachers provide cool materials, and our kids can choose their interests.
The staff is all Montessori-trained, and they’re great at communicating with us. They really care about building relationships with parents and keeping us in the loop on our child’s progress.
Another thing we love is that Bee House Montessori has multiple locations in Burnaby and Coquitlam, so it’s super convenient for parents living in or near those areas.
Remember that the Hart Street location in Burnaby has slightly different operating hours, so it’s worth checking out if you’re interested.
Caring and secure environment
“Our kids attended this daycare from 1-5 years old, so we enjoyed experiencing ‘the little kid side’ and ‘big kid side.’ Tears were plentiful on their last day; we were sad to leave. The kids that attend are sweet and caring. My children have created strong friendships and bonded well with the teachers. Their COVID restrictions were on point, they’re cautious regarding allergies, they catered to my odd potty training methods, and the environment is clean & safe. The Teachers are very caring and helped me through some hard mornings, and the owners are quick to reply, understanding, and easy to chat with. Truly great experience, sad to leave but excited that us leaving will open up a spot for a fortunate family.”
– Sarah Bailey, Google Reviews
Promotes learning through social interaction
“Our son has been at this daycare for about one year now, and he and we love the experience. We worried about him adjusting and maybe not wanting to be away from us, but he likes the teachers and other children so much that he doesn’t want to go home. He is constantly learning new things at the daycare, singing new songs, and new skills like putting on his shoes or jacket. We recommend Beehouse Montessori Daycare to anyone looking for a place where their child can grow and learn around amazing children and staff.”
– Matt S. R., Google Reviews
2. Extra Steps Preschool
Extra Steps Preschool offers play-based learning, which is great because kids can run around and explore. They have a ton of age-appropriate toys and activities set up. Kids learn social skills, emotional regulation, and all that good stuff just by having fun.
We appreciate how the teachers communicate with us. They discuss upcoming arts and crafts projects and outdoor play activities beforehand, which helps us connect what they’re doing at school with what we do at home.
The preschool is clean, bright, and has tons of natural light, which makes it feel welcoming and safe for the kids. Plus, the staff-to-child ratio is lower than the average daycare here, so more supervision gives us peace of mind.
One thing to note is that they don’t have a formal curriculum for babies, but they still incorporate playtime. Also, they offer AM or PM sessions, but it would be nice to have a full-day option for more flexibility.
Nurturing environment with strong teacher-child bonds
“My son went to preschool here and loved his teachers a lot. Initially, he attended another preschool half of the week, but the head teacher at the other preschool was terrible and treated him like he was a challenged kid, and she even talked to him like one. At Extra Steps Learning, they helped him to come out of his shell and helped improve his personal development without judging him any differently from other kids. Ever since attending preschool here five days a week; he has improved tremendously. He’s now in Kindergarten and still talks about his teachers, especially Ms. Christa. I like all the educators there, but my favorite is Ms. Christa. She helps my son develop social and personal skills there and always treats him kindly.
-Pugsies N, Google Reviews
Transformed a child’s happiness and social development
“We family loves Extra Steps! My elder son was originally attending one academic preschool and was unhappy, so we changed him to Extra Steps another year. It’s not only about the happiness (of course, he couldn’t wait to be back every day), but he became a brighter, kindhearted, open-minded kid in a single year with all the perfect teachers and friends; this is the most important foundation for kids, I believe. We sent our younger kid there a few years later, receiving much more love. All the teachers are amazing; they give their kids and parents all their love, care, and support!! They are real people with flexible work. I would be way happier to give more stars to Extra Steps than 5.”
– Jessica Lau, Google Reviews
3. Creative Kids Montessori & Fine Arts Academy Childcare
Creative Kids Montessori & Fine Arts Academy follows the Montessori Method, which is all about hands-on learning through play, which is perfect for our curious and explorative kids.
Plus, they integrate fine arts into the curriculum we were looking for. This exposes students to music, art, and maybe even a little drama—all while they learn core concepts.
They have thoughtfully prepared indoor and outdoor environments with Montessori materials, and the teachers guide the kids through activities and let them explore at their own pace. It’s like they’re learning a lot without even realizing it.
The daycare also implements multi-age groupings. The classrooms have kids from 2 ½ to 6 years old, and it seems to help the younger ones learn from, the older ones, and the older ones get a chance to be a bit more helpful and nurturing.
Just a heads up, Creative Kids Montessori is not the cheapest option. Montessori programs are on the pricier side, and adding the fine arts component bumps it up even more. That’s definitely something to consider.
One thing we wish they’d improve on is communication with parents. We don’t always get detailed updates on what the kids are learning or working on each day.
Fosters academic and social readiness for kindergarten
“We have just finished a fantastic year at Creative Kids Montessori. Our son was fortunate to spend this past school year with Matoula and her educators. We watched him thrive in this supportive and enriching environment- many relevant themes were explored, field trips were taken, Montessori ‘work’ activities encouraged, and creative play opportunities abound. He is about to enter kindergarten, and we are confident he will ease right in given the educational and social foundation provided at Creative Kids.”
– Jill, Google Reviews
Informative environment with strong community bonds
“Our daughter attended Creative Kids for one school year at age 3. We have moved and are heartbroken that our daughter will not be able to continue to attend due to distance. The teachers are amazing, informative, and loving. They always communicate and are transparent about everything. They use an app to share pictures with the parents and send important information. They incorporate a rainbow snack meal share to educate and encourage the children to taste various fruits and vegetables each week. The teachers are all very welcoming and down to earth. Several events throughout the year bring families together. The children and parents have formed special bonds. This has felt like a true community. We felt safe with our daughter being there. If you want quality care with a safe and fun environment, this is the place for your children.”
– Nicole Clarke, Google Reviews
4. Hope Infant/Toddler Group Daycare Centre
Hope Infant/Toddler Group Daycare focuses on individual attention, a major selling point for us. Hope Daycare prides itself on a low child-to-teacher ratio, and you can tell.
The teachers have plenty of time to give each child personalized attention, which is especially important for little ones still learning and growing so fast.
The whole daycare just feels warm and welcoming. They have a great setup for infants and toddlers, with plenty of stimulating toys and activities, but it also feels cozy and safe.
The principal and teachers are very open and transparent about everything, from daily routines to any developmental milestones our little ones might be reaching. They also send regular updates and photos, which is great for peace of mind.
Honestly, the teachers are the heart of Hope Daycare. They’re all loving, attentive, and genuinely caring about each child’s well-being.
Our little one lights up whenever they see their teachers, which tells you a lot. Several other parents have mentioned the same thing—their kids always seem excited to go to daycare, which is a great sign.
Just a heads-up, though: Hope Daycare only accepts infants and toddlers up to 36 months old. So, if you have a preschooler, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Also, it’s a popular spot, so there might be a waitlist. We lucked out and got a place fairly quickly, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering enrolling your child there.
Strong bonds between teachers and children
“My child has received excellent care at Hope Daycare. The environment here is warm and welcoming, and the teachers treat the children as their own. My child looks forward to going to daycare every morning, and as parents, we feel reassured. Now that our child is growing up and leaving Hope Daycare, we are sad to say goodbye. My child will miss her friends and teachers here for sure! We sincerely recommend Hope Daycare to every parent looking for childcare services.”
– Vicky Liu, Google Reviews
A supportive environment for young children
“This has been my daughter’s daycare since she was four months old until her graduation at almost three years old. The teachers are very, very loving and caring. My daughter loves her daycare and teachers. The owner, Hope, is lovely and has always provided great support and care to my daughter. I highly recommend this daycare.”
– Enas Ali, Google Reviews
5. Montessori World Preschool & Kindergarten
If you believe in the Montessori philosophy, Montessori World Preschool & Kindergarten walks the talk. Their program is built around self-directed learning and exploration with all these specialized Montessori materials.
My kids enjoyed the freedom to choose their activities and work at their own pace. The classrooms are spacious and well-equipped, and a separate outdoor play area provides a clean and stimulating space for learning and exploration.
We liked that they offered optional extras like Mandarin, French, music, and art classes. It’s a nice way to expose your child to different things, although it does come at an additional cost.
The tuition wasn’t outrageous compared to other daycare options, especially considering the Montessori program. Plus, they offer sibling discounts and work with government childcare subsidies, which can help ease the financial burden.
The teachers were knowledgeable about Montessori principles, but communication with parents wasn’t the strongest. We didn’t always get a clear picture of what our child was working on or how they were progressing.
The classrooms can also get crowded, especially for younger toddlers. While the Montessori materials were there, there wasn’t always enough one-on-one time with the teachers for the littlest ones.
Caring and nurturing environment for children to learn and thrive
“My child attends Montessori World. Ms. Yelena, the school principal, is amazing. All the staff are supportive and friendly. They care for each student, which is a safe environment for the children. It is an excellent school that is clean and tidy. Ms. Mary is my child’s educator, and he likes her so much that on the weekends, all he talks about is her. Unfortunately, he needs to transfer to a different school next year. I don’t know how to explain to him that Ms. Mary will no longer be his educator. ”
– Kidist Seyfu, Google Reviews
Authentic and effective Montessori preschool program
“My eldest child went to Montessori World two years ago, and now my four-year-old is attending. Ms Jelena is the school principal, and she is amazing. She truly adopts the Montessori method into the classrooms in the most traditional sense. There are so many other schools we’ve experienced where they claim they are following the Montessori method but are not. This school is truly the gem in the haystack. The only downfall is that they only offer half a day, but despite that, I feel like my son is getting so much more out of 3 hrs at this school versus a full day at another school.”
– Sandy Wong, Google Reviews
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