The Early Learning Society of Kamloops operates close to 210 licensed child care spaces for children aged 3 months to 12 years old.
To meet the values of our Society, our enrollment process is designed to create meaningful, long-term relationships with children and their families; often beginning with the birth of their first child to the graduation of their last.
Our goal is to offer childcare services in a fair and equitable way, however due to licensing regulations, partnership agreements and operational considerations, our waitlist does not operate on a “first come, first serve basis.”
Main Campus at 1500 9th Ave. current enrollment priority groups are as follows:
Sun Peaks Community Daycare current enrollment priority groups are as follows:
To meet licensing requirements and ensure that there is space for children to transition between regulated age categories as they age-up, programs maintain a balance of children’s ages. Thus, birth date may impact the priority in which spaces are offered.
New enrollment opportunities primarily occur in the Fall when older children transition to kindergarten, allowing younger children to move up into the 3-5 program and freeing up spaces in our infant and toddler programs. Therefore, new openings are mainly in Infant/Toddler spaces, with very limited availability in our 3-5 program.
Due to high demand for spaces for 5-year-olds, we cannot accommodate school-aged children from September to June, though we often have openings in our summer program.
With a waitlist of 800 entries at our main campus, we cannot guarantee space availability. We encourage families to explore other childcare options. Kamloops Childcare Resource and Referral can provide additional information about available spaces in Kamloops.
Note: This information helps families understand how spaces are offered but should not be considered a precise indicator of when an offer of care may be made.
Fee Schedule - MAIN CAMPUS Fee SCHEDULE - SUN Peaks
Frequently Asked Questions
You may put your child on the waitlist at any time once you’re expecting.
Given the high interest in our Main Campus location on 9th Avenue, we do not have the capacity to offer tours unless a space has been offered. The Society does however offer annual Open Houses for the community to visit our Main Campus. Families who have been offered a spot and would like to view a facility before accepting the space are welcome to book a tour.
Tours may be booked at our Sun Peaks location by appointment only by contacting the Manager.
No, the Society does not charge waitlist fees.
Unfortunately, we do not maintain a waitlist for our out-of-school program at this time at our Main Campus or Sun Peaks locations. Priority is given to children currently enrolled in our 3-5 programs that will be attending Kindergarten. There is no guaranteed placement even within our priority group due to limited spaces.
The majority of spaces at all locations become available between July and September of each year when children leave the 3-5 program to start kindergarten. Spaces at other times of the year are limited.
Given we do not operate on a formal 'first come - first serve’ basis, it is difficult to estimate when a space may become available (see enrollment process). There are many factors including siblings currently attending, date of application, type of program, and depending on the facility, where you live or work. Considering the length of our waitlists, we cannot guarantee that a spot will become available.
Due to the overwhelming size of our waitlist, we cannot consistently respond to inquiries relating to where families are on the waitlist.
Yes. All facilities offer community spaces. While we do offer priority spots for our staff, current families and Interior Health employees (Main Campus only), there are a good number of spaces remaining that are offered to the wider community at all facilities.
Main Campus Due to the overwhelming need for full-time care in Kamloops, the only part-time services our Society offers at our Main Campus is our part-time Preschool Program offered Monday-Thursday 9am-1pm .
Sun Peaks Early Learning Centre does offer a handful of part-time spaces.
Main Campus (1500 9th Ave) 173 space 12-classroom centre offering - Infant, Toddler, 3-5, School-age and Part-time Preschool.
Sun Peaks Early Learning Centre This cozy 52-space community centre offers - Infant, Toddler, 3-5, and School-aged care.
If you decline a space, your child will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist and you will lose your priority status. Your new application date will be the date you decline the space offer.
If the space is declined within 21 days of the start date, you will be responsible for the first months fees.
There is normally no interruptions in service between our infant/toddler and 3-5 program. However we cannot guarantee placement in our school-aged program for children currently enrolled in our 3-5 program. While priority is given to children graduating from our 3-5 spaces, we cannot guarantee placement due to limited spaces.
Yes. Parents are responsible for submitting applications in a timely way. Please refer to the ACCB Parent Portal for more information and to submit an application. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing.
Link to parent ACCB Portal
Our Society strives to provide an inclusive environment and welcomes children with exceptionalities within the bounds of health and safety.
If your child has unique needs, we will work with you and any other service providers to:
This planning can take some time so we will contact you in advance of a space becoming available.
The primary difference between these two early learning programs offered at our Main Campus are:
Both programs are based on the same core elements and learning goals as outlined by the BC Early Learning Framework and provide a high quality emergent curriculum using current best practices in the field of early childhood education and care.
Our programs are guided by the BC Early Learning Framework and inspired by the latest research in child development, focusing on play-based, child-led learning.
Main Campus - Kamloops Under the guidance of our Food Services Manager, our hot meal program serves delicious and healthy meals prepared fresh each day by our skilled cooks. We celebrate cultural diversity by offering a variety of dishes from different cuisines, giving children the opportunity to explore new flavours. Our cooks are trained to accommodate food allergies and religious dietary preferences, ensuring that every child can enjoy safe and satisfying meals. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive dining experience where everyone feels welcome and fulfilled at mealtime!
Sun Peaks Early Learning Centre While the Sun Peaks location does not have a commercial kitchen, staff do prepare nutritious morning and afternoon snacks for children. All staff have their Food Safe. Children bring their own lunches from home.
Monthly Benefit to Assist Eligible Families with the Cost of Child Care
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