Southeast Kootenay Child Care Resource & Referral (SKCCRR)

what we do

Supports provided for families, child care workforce and providers, and community partners:

    • Referrals to Licensed Child Care Programs
    • Information on Choosing Quality Child Care
    • Education and professional Development
    • Free Toy/Resource/Equipment Lending Library
    • Affordable Child Care Benefit Program Information and Support
    • Access to Non-Toxic Craft Supplies
    • SKCCRR Monthly Bulletin
    • Support, Resources, and Consultation
    • Low-Cost Laminating Services Available Every Tuesday
Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

The Child Care Resource & Referral Program of British Columbia is committed to working in partnership with community and government to enhance the availability and accessibility of a range of flexible, responsive, and inclusive quality child care options and services that support the needs of children, community, and child care workforce and child care providers.

Vision Statement

  • Children are our future.

  • Quality child care supports the healthy development of children.

  • Quality, accessible, and affordable child care supports families in their abilities to take advantage of training and work opportunities.

  • Advancing professionalism and support the value of the early years.

  • Supporting healthy families and communities.

Core Values

Partnerships

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value teamwork and collaboration. Partnerships that are adaptive, flexible, and empathetic are formed among government, community, child care providers and families to ensure high quality services.

Professionalism

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value professionalism and integrity in all work. It is important to use critical thinking when setting goals and to be accountable in following through with priorities. It is also important to take reasonable risks and evaluate progress in all work, with a focus on ethical practice.

Respecting Diversity

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value sensitivity and diversity within the communities of British Columbia. It is important that all children, regardless of background and lifestyle, are able to access inclusive, high quality child care. Also, ensuring that all families have access to support services.

Lifelong Learning

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value the importance of a continuum of education, training, and experiences for learning by staff, child care workforce, child care providers and families in order to meet children’s needs.

Well-Being for All

Child Care Resource & Referral programs value the health, safety, and well-being of children, families, care providers and staff within the community.

Information

Child Care Resource & Referral provide information, support and training to child care providers and offer services such as: business information, workshops, networking opportunities, supportive home visits, access to lending libraries and equipment, referrals to community resources, listing in a registry of child care providers. CCRRs provide families with child care referrals, quality child care resources, Affordable Child Care Benefit assistance, consultation, support, lending libraries and in some communities, drop-in programs.

Government

Child Care Resource & Referral work under contract to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. They also work with other provincial ministries, and with departments, boards and committees at the national, regional, and municipal levels as needed to promote various aspects of quality child care.

Toy Lending Library

Access our libarary of free toys and resources here.

Crafty Creations Store

Child-friendly and non-toxic craft supplies for families and caregivers, located at SKCCRR. Product availability and prices subject to change without notice. Call 250.426.5677 for more info.

ministry resources

Affordable Child Care Benefit Plan

1.888.338.6622

Hours
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PDT)

You may be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit Plan (ACCB) for child care costs.  How much you receive depends on:

  • Your net family income
  • The number of children requiring child care, their ages and the amount of child care each child requires.
  • The type of care you choose.

The Metis Child Care Benefit (MCCB) is a monthly benefit to help Metis families with the cost of child care.  The Metis Child Care Benefit supplement child care costs up to a maximum of $500.00 per child, per month.  Funding is paid directly to the child care provider.

Before you apply, you will need:

  • To be an MNBC Citizen and provide your citizenship number or have an active application with the registry. 
  • Your child/children to be enrolled in the Metis Family Connections Program.
  • To have applied to the Affordable Child Care Benefit program prior to application.
  • To have completed the Child Care Provider form completed by the Parent/Legal Guardian and Child Care Provider.  (This form will be provided during the application process)

Contact
Website
metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca | 1.800.940.1150

our staff

Frankie, Program Coordinator

I have worked for SKCCRR since 2012.  As the Coordinator, I support the day-to-day operations of SKCCRR. I assist families in finding child care, sit on many committees that relate to Child Care in the Southeast Kootenay area, help coordinate and organize workshops for child care workforce, providers, community partners and families, as well as many other duties.

Education

  • License to Practice as an Early Childhood Educator
  • Diploma in Special Needs
  • Teacher’s Assistant Certificate

Previous Work Experience

I have been an employee of Community Connections Society since 2004.  Prior to my position with SKCCRR I worked as a Support Worker with Supported Child Development.  This position allowed me to assist and support in a variety of Child Care settings which helped prepare me for my current position.

 

Colleen, Consultant

I have worked for SKCCRR since 2019.  As a consultant, my main role is to provide support to Early Childhood Providers/Early Childhood Workforce, Families, and Community Partners throughout the Southeast Kootenays.  Some examples of this would be doing outreach visits to child care programs, providing child care referrals to families, organizing workshops and conferences, recruiting Early Childhood Educators, providing general information about quality child care and child development, support with a variety of Ministry programs (ACCB, CCOF, CCFRI, ECE-WE, Support Funds and Grants), and being a part of the Early Years teams across the Southeast Kootenays.

Education

  • Early Childhood Educator Certificate
  • Infant/Toddler Educator Diploma
  • Special Needs Educator Diploma
  • Certified Office Administrator

Previous Work Experience

I have worked within the child care sector since 2006, in a variety of settings such as an Indigenous Preschool for ages 18 months – 5 years, Group Infant/Toddler Care, Group 3-5 Care, Afterschool Care, and running a Licensed and Accredited Family Day Home. Prior to working within the child care sector, I was employed as an Office Administrator.

Shirley, Consultant

I joined the Child Care Resource and Referral team in July 2022.  My consultant role is to enhance the availability of inclusive quality care within the Southeast Kootenay Region, to support families in accessing quality care, and provide child care professionals with the resources and training opportunities needed to enhance their learning and their programs. I oversee the daily operations of the Toy Lending Library and educational resources as well as keeping “Crafty Creations” well stocked with non-toxic craft supplies.

Education

  • Early Childhood Certificate
  • Training and experience supporting children with exceptional needs

Previous Work Experience

I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator for the past 36 years. I started my career in Cranbrook, working in a Child Development Centre for 9 years.  There I gained a wealth of experience, education and training to support children with exceptional needs.   For the past 24 years I managed an inclusive preschool program in Cranbrook that not only allowed me to mentor Early Childhood Education students, support workers and volunteers, but also provided me the opportunity to provide quality inclusive child care. It’s a job I loved doing.  The skills I gained as an Educator gave me the opportunity to step into a Behavioral Interventionist role as well, which was a part-time position I held for 8 years.

Rachel, Consultant

I have worked for SKCCRR since 2022. In my role as a consultant, I provide support to child care providers/workforce, families and community partners. Once a month I go to child care programs in the Elk Valley and Kimberley areas for outreach – delivering toys, craft supplies, and joy. I also contribute to the maintenance of the toy lending library and helping community partners and families to have access to that.

Education

  • Early Childhood Educator Certificate / Current license to practice as an Early Childhood Educator
  • Certification in Business Office Skills

Previous Work Experience

Compared to my colleagues, I am relatively new to the field of Early Childhood Education. I took my ECE certificate course at the College of the Rockies here in Cranbrook in the 2017-18 school year. I’ve been working in the Child Care Workforce from September 2018 as an Early Childhood Educator and as a support worker for East Kootenay Supported Child Development.

 

office hours

Monday 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Service Area: Cranbrook and area, Elk Valley, and Kimberley and area.

We welcome walk-ins but encourage you to call ahead to check staff availability or book an appointment.

contact us

Southeast Kootenay CCRR
20-B 12th Ave N., Cranbrook, BC, V1C 3V7
Ph: 250-426-5677 or 1-800-661-2445 Cell: 250-421-1926
Fax: 250-426-3373 E-mail: skccrr@ccssebc.com

 

funder

Funding for SKCCRR is provided by the Province of British Columbia contact 1-888-338-6622, option 4 or www.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres

related events

Events for Children & Families in the Cranbrook and Kimberley area.

View Full CCS Calendar

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Steeples Elementary School
For more info and to register online: https://www.sd5.bc.ca/learning/EarlyLearning/StrongstartCentres/Pages/default.aspx#/=
Wed, 09 Oct,  09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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/ Children & Families
Wiggle, Giggle & Grow
Kootenay Child Development Centre
Join us for a nutritious snack, play with toys, create crafts, sing songs, read stories, and meet other families. Contact: capc.cbk@ccssebc.com Located at Bellies to Babies (#22 12th Ave N), inside the Kootenay Child Development…
Wed, 09 Oct,  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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Steeples Elementary School
For more info and to register online: https://www.sd5.bc.ca/learning/EarlyLearning/StrongstartCentres/Pages/default.aspx#/=
Wed, 09 Oct,  12:15 PM - 02:45 PM
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/ Children & Families
Baby Talk Drop-in
Kootenay Child Development Centre
Drop-in group at Bellies to Babies with Interior Health for parents and babies ages 0 to 12 months.
Wed, 09 Oct,  01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
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Steeples Elementary School
For more info and to register online: https://www.sd5.bc.ca/learning/EarlyLearning/StrongstartCentres/Pages/default.aspx#/=
Thu, 10 Oct,  09:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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/ Children & Families
Tumble Time
Join us at the Ktunaxa Gym at 220 Cranbrook St. N. Our usual space (downstairs at St. Mary's) is under renovations and we are looking for an alternate spot that will suit our needs during the…
Thu, 10 Oct,  10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

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