Your Questions, Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs: Enrollment Fees

  • Monthly tuition fee depends on the age of your child, number of days enrolled, and the location of the centre.

  • Yes, all Olive Grove Childcare locations are approved for the BC Childcare Fee Reduction Initiative.

    This provincial government program offers a savings up to $900/month for children under 3 years; and $545/month savings for children aged 3-5 years. Families do not need to do anything to qualify for this reduction, if your child is enrolled at Olive Grove Childcare, they will automatically get the savings.

  • Olive Grove Childcare is not a prioritized centre for the BC provincial government $10/day childcare sites. The government is giving priority to non-profit and public schools.

    Olive Grove Childcare has chosen not to apply for $10/day childcare at this time. For more FAQ and available childcare centers that do offer this service, please visit the BC government website.

  • At Olive Grove Childcare, we believe that every child deserves to be exposed to a diverse learning environment. For that reason, extra-curricular activities such as art, physical education, music, yoga, language classes, and other activities that are not generally a part of the locations’ curriculum are provided at no extra cost to your family.

    We do offer specialty programs which vary per location such as swimming lessons, gymnastics class, and tumbling; these classes are an extra cost and are optional.

FAQs: Waitlists

  • We do not have a waitlist fee. Simply complete the form on our Rates & Registration page to add your child to the list. This does not guarantee admission to Olive Grove Childcare.

    Each location has their own waitlist and administration teams that update their lists while communicating with their families. Some of our locations have longer waitlists than others.

    If you would like to be considered for multiple locations and/or have questions about a specific location, please contact your preferred location or contact us directly.

  • The location manager at the centre you have applied to will be in communication with waitlist applicants around enrollment time (generally in the spring), or when a space becomes available.

    Once a space has been found for a child, parents will be contacted to set-up a tour and meet & greet with the location staff and management. You will formally be given a written offer for an enrollment via email communication from the Olive Grove Childcare location manager.

  • No. Registered parents of Olive Grove Childcare locations. are given first priority on the waitlist for graduation through our programs.

    That being said, graduation to each room is dependent on the space available, in particularly the 3-5 program. In the unlikely event that we cannot accommodate your child with graduation through our programs, we will do our best to offer a space at one of our other locations close by. 

FAQs: Operations

  • The overall class size varies at each location, but in all locations the minimum child to staff ratios are as follows:

    • Infant & toddler programs offer a 1:4 child to staff ratio

    • Preschool programs offer a 1:8 child to staff ratio

    Throughout the year we welcome student teachers and enthusiastic volunteers to help the children and teachers too!

  • Our programs are for children aged six months to five years of age. The Olive Grove Childcare school year begins in September and continues until the end of August.

    Registration for the new school year for current families begins early spring; registration for new families occurs once internal registration is complete and we know what spaces are available to our waitlists.

    Where space permits, enrollment can happen at other times throughout the school year. A location manager would reach out to you if this situation occurs.

  • Our locations are open from 7:30am-5:30pm, Monday through Friday from January to December.

    We are closed on all Statutory Holidays as well as a one week Summer Break and a Winter Holiday. An annual calendar is sent out at the beginning of each school year (September) stating the closure dates for the school year. 

  • We do offer tours at all of our Olive Grove Childcare locations. If possible, we will do a quick introduction to some of the teachers, while showing you our programming and intention behind the environmental setup and curriculum. Tour times vary depending on the managers availability and where each program is at in their daily routine.

    We try to schedule tours when you can see the children in action and can give you a well-rounded perspective of the Reggio Emilia inspired programming in action.

  • Gradual entry is recommended for every child. Once our child has been enrolled at an Olive Grove Childcare location, the manager will schedule gradual entry dates to help your child transition from being at home to in the classroom.

    This is usually a 3-4 day process and there is no additional fee. If your child is requiring a longer transition period we do our best to respect and accommodate the needs of each individual child. 

  • Olive Grove Childcare provides a nutritious morning and afternoon snack for all children, we ask that families provide their child(ren) lunch. All locations also offer an optional Hot Lunch Program at an extra cost to the family. 

  • Our staff document your child’s learning throughout the year through the Lillio app as well as in their Wonder Journal.

    Our staff are happy to find a time to sit down with families regarding any questions and observations that caregivers and families may have; however, you can also communicate with them daily through the HiMama app for any questions, concerns, or quick updates on your child!

  • Olive Grove Childcare locations are wheelchair accessible and we do welcome children who require extra support.

    We take pride in offering an inclusive environment and curriculum so that all children feel inspired to learn, explore, and discover along with the other children in their classroom.

    We accept children working with North Shore Supported Development and work closely with your child’s team to ensure we are providing the best care possible.

    Typically with any registration process we have a parent survey you can fill out that gives us more insight into your specific needs.