Where do I learn about childcare and school in Canada?

Childcare

If you have young children then childcare may be an important consideration for you. Childcare will allow you to attend English or retraining classes and to pursue employment after you arrive. Your settlement team will work to find out about the different child care options in your community along with waiting times for enrolment. They will consider costs, access to transportation and whether you feel more comfortable having your child in a family-style daycare or one that may offers a language that you speak at home or food that your child needs. This guide, “Finding Quality Childcare in Canada”, provides useful information on childcare options in each province and territory.

School Registration

Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 to 16, and your settlement team will work with you to locate the local school that your child will go to. Along with a member of your settlement team, you can contact the school to see what paperwork is required to register, and make a time when you can go with the family to tour the school, see the facilities, and meet the teacher. This site provides good basic information about the Canadian educational system.

Vaccinations

Most provinces and territories require school-age students to be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio. There is no current national guidance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and school enrolment. Parents must provide their school-age child’s immunization record or a valid exemption form. If the newcomer(s) do not have immunization records with them, they will be required to get the required vaccinations in Canada, even if that means they will be repeating the vaccinations. All vaccinations needed for school are free of charge. Vaccinations can be done by a family doctor or at a walk-in medical clinic.