Sunshine Coast Success By 6

Early Years Resources on the Sunshine Coast 

Updated August 2010

The following programs are offered through the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society

Please scroll down the page for more programs offered through other local agencies.

Program Name

Parent-Tot Drop-In

Description

Parent-Tot Drop-In is a morning family support program combining play and learning activities for children 0-6 with opportunities for parents and caregivers to have fun with their children, meet others, share parenting stories and access information and resources.

Where and When

Gibsons Community Centre 5 days/week and once a week at Gibsons and Sechelt StrongStart Centres.

Contact 

Patrice Pollack
(604) 885-5881 ext. 225
 patrice@dccnet.com
Bellies and Babies
Bellies and Babies is a popular program for pregnant and new mothers. Offering peer support groups, drop-ins, outreach, classes, and individual support, mamas are welcome to drop in for a free hot lunch and friendly support.   
Gibsons and Sechelt, each once a week. One-on-one visits available.
Kim Oka
(604) 885-5881 ext.227
kimokacpnp@dccnet.com
Sunshine Coast Childcare Resource and Referral Program (CCRR)
CCRR provides support for childcare providers and parents with an extensive toy and book lending library, networking, workshops, support visits, childcare referrals and childcare subsidy information.  Most importantly, CCRR advocates for quality childcare and the need for childcare spaces on the Sunshine Coast.
three locations: Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender Harbour
Hilary Griffiths,
(604) 885-5657
 hilarygriffiths@dccnet.com
Mother Goose
Mother Goose is a facilitated group experience for parents and their babies and young children, focusing on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs and stories together.  Parents are helped to gain skills and confidence which can enable them to create positive family patterns during their children’s crucial early years. 

Patrice Pollack,
(604) 885-5881 ext. 225
 patrice@dccnet.com
Infant Development Program
Home visits, assessments, toy and resource library, infant massage training, and play group. 
The playgroup meets on Thursdays from 10:00-12:00 at Community Services (Sechelt). Private appointments available.
Merrily Corder
604-885-5881 ext. 242
Supported Child Development
Helps to ensure children who require extra support are included and able to participate in "typical" community child care settings chosen by their parents.
Coast-wide
Liz Kool
604 885-5881 ext. 223
Bridges
Children’s Physical and Occupational Therapy
This program offers physical and occupational therapy for children and includes home visits. Services provided on an as-needed basis.

604-885-5881 ext. 243
bridges@dccnet.com

The following programs are offered through the School District No. 46

Please scroll down the page for more programs offered by other local agencies.

Program Name

SPARK!

Description

SPARK! is a program designed to help parents learn strategies and activities they can do with their child to support their child’s learning. Toys, learning aids, and written hand-outs are given to parents at each class. 

Where and When

Every elementary school in School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast).

Contact

Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
 (604)741-5787
KinderSPARK!
The primary focus of the KinderSPARK! Program is to empower parents in their role as their child’s first teacher and to familiarize both the parent and the child to the school culture and environment.  
Available in the majority of elementary schools in School District No. 46 
Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
(604)741-5787
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book to children on the Sunshine Coast from birth to five years old. The books are mailed to their home in their child’s name once a month at no cost to families.
Registration takes place during SPARK! sessions – held in every elementary school in School District No. 46 
Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
 (604)741-5787
Ready, Set, Learn
Every year, families with three year old children are invited to attend an event at their local school, where they receive an information package and a children’s book.  
Every elementary school in School District No. 46 
Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
(604)741-5787
StrongStart BC
StrongStart Centres are family drop-in programs located within a school setting. The centres are open for three hours a day, five days a week.  Children from birth to age five and their caregivers drop-in to the centres free of charge to participate in programs designed to support early learning and development through a play-based approach.   
Gibsons Elementary, Roberts Creek Elementary, Sechelt Elementary, Halfmoon Bay Elementary, and Madeira Park Elementary Schools
Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
(604)741-5787
Early Years Fair
An annual event that connects families with a wide variety of non-profit agencies in the community who provide support to families with young children. Many activities are available for the children to participate in during the fair and families are able to enjoy a fun and informative experience.
Every spring, at Chatelech Secondary School, Sechelt.
Kirsten Deasey
kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca
(604)741-5787

The following programs are offered through the Sechelt Indian Band

Please scroll down the page for more programs offered by other local agencies.
Mom-Ay-Mon Child Care
Licensed Group Child Care Centre. We provide hearing/speech/vision screening, speech therapy, language classes in the Sechelt language, hot lunch and snack program, indoor and outdoor play, field trips.
Sechelt Band Lands,
5496 Swiwelat
604-885-5044
 fax 604-885-6071  momaymon@telus.net
Family Resource Centre
a lending resource centre where families can access toys, games, high chairs, car/booster seats, books, etc.
Education Centre at 5545 Highway 101 in Sechelt. 
604-885-6016
Supported Child Development
Matches resources available in each community so that children that require extra support can be included in regular child care settings. Is in its capacity-building stages
Education Centre at 5545 Highway 101 in Sechelt. 
604-885-6016
ECD Building Blocks
Outreach worker program aims to increase the ability of parents to support the healthy development of children from pre-conception to age six. 
Education Centre at 5545 Highway 101 in Sechelt. 
604-885-6016
Family Fun Fair
An annual event that connects families with a wide variety of non-profit agencies in the community who provide support to families with young children. A wide variety of activities are available for the children to participate in during the fair.
Education Centre at 5545 Highway 101 in Sechelt. 
604-885-5044

The following programs are offered through Vancouver Coastal Health


Best Beginnings Program for newborns and their parents
24 hr follow-up support phone call (post discharge from hospital).
72 hr Home Visit.
Continued Public Health Nursing support during postpartum period. Phone call to support families and babies in the first 24 hr at home and offer of a home visit for a mother and newborn health assessment. Information on care of newborn, postpartum recovery, and services available including Breastfeeding Support and Consultation.
Coast-wide
Gibsons to Roberts Creek 
604-886-5600

Sechelt to Pender Harbour
604-885-5164
Birthing, Baby, and Beyond Prenatal Classes
Classes for a pregnant woman and her partner, support person, or a friend.  Please note cost subsidies are available-contact your health unit for more information.
Coast wide
Gibsons to Roberts Creek 
604-886-5600

Sechelt to Pender Harbour
604-885-5164
Child Health Clinic 
Child Health Clinic by appointment for child health assessment and immunizations. 
Gibsons Health Unit 
Tues 1:00-3:30 pm
Thurs 10 – 12

Sechelt Health Unit 
Tuesday 930 - 1130
Wed 1:00-3:30 pm

Pender Harbour Health Centre   
Tues 2:00-4:00 (PHN does not facilitate drop-in at this location)
604 883-2764
Gibsons to Roberts Creek 
604-886-5600

Sechelt to Pender Harbour
604-885-5164
Big Folks Little Folks Drop-in
Free and welcoming parent & tot drop-in; parent-to-parent support and social time for parents and caregivers. Baby scales are available to weigh your baby and there is access to a Public Health Nurse to answer questions.
Gibsons Health Unit: Tues 1:00 – 3:30

Sechelt Health Unit: Weds 1:00 – 3:30
Gibsons to Roberts Creek 
604-886-5600

Sechelt to Pender Harbour
604-885-5164
Vision Screening Program
Vision screening of 3-year olds and kindergarten age children in schools or clinics by appointment.
Gibsons/Sechelt Health Units
Mon to Fri 8:30 – 4:30
Shelly McAuley
  604-886-5615
BC Early Hearing Program 
Newborn hearing screening for all newborns on the Sunshine Coast.  The Sensory Screener will contact the new parents. 
0 - 4 months.
Gibsons/Sechelt Health Units
  Mon to Fri 8:30 – 4:30 
Shelly McAuley
604-886-5615 
Hearing Program (Audiology)
The Sunshine Coast Sensory Screener completes hearing screening on school aged children as well as accepting referrals to the Audiologist for further assessment to either Squamish or Powell River Audiology Dept; support and resources for families.
Gibsons Health Unit 
Mon – Fri 
8:30 – 4:30
Shelly McAuley
  604-886-5615
Healthy Families Program
Provides support of individual strengths & family skills development that promotes healthy child development and family empowerment.
Gibsons Health Unit
Sandra Squires PHN
604-886-5600
Community Dental Hygiene Program
Dental assessments for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Offers information and support to the community.
Gibsons/Sechelt Health Units
Mary Findlay, Community Dental Hygienist,
 604-886-5623 
Community Nutrition Program
The regional community nutritionist works with community members, organizations, and professionals to promote optimal health for all ages through healthy eating and active living.
Gibsons Health Unit
Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30
Catherine Atchison 
Community Nutritionist
 604-886-5617

Gibsons Public Health Unit
 604-886-5600
Postpartum Depression Support
See Best Beginnings Program

Gibsons to Roberts Creek 
604-886-5600

Sechelt to Pender Harbour
604-885-5164
Nursing Support Services Program
Nursing Support Services (NSS) assists parents and caregivers to help children with special needs lead active, healthy lives in their communities, while facilitating safe, consistent care and appropriate health supports. The NSS Coordinator determines the type of care:  At-Home Program, Delegated Care at school/preschool, or Direct Nursing Care, through assessment and  cooperation with other service providers. 
Gibsons Health Unit
Johanna Rzepa PHN
604-886-5600
Speech and Language Program
Assistance to develop a child's feeding, play, pre-speech and communication skills.   Services include assessment, consultation, therapy and parent training.

We welcome parent referrals.
Community services provided in home, daycares and clinic. 
Coast-wide
Sechelt Health Unit
604-885-5164

Please ask to speak to a Speech and Language Therapist
Community Care Facilities Licensing Program


 
The community care facilities licensing program is responsible for monitoring and enforcing legislated health and care standards for children in licensed child care facilities such as group child care for 0-5 and 5-13yr family child care, preschools.

In BC a license is required when care is provided to 3 or more children who are not related to  the operator by blood or marriage.

 
Sechelt Health Unit 

 
Grethe Thorburn
604-885-5164 
www.CoastParents.ca features a list of other activities for families with kids age 0 - 6. These resources may have a fee. Click Here
Fact sheets and other resources here