Childcare Waitlist

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society (LMNHS) operates nearly 200 licensed childcare spaces for children ages 3 months to 12 years old.

While our goal is to provide child care for as many families as possible, our waitlist does NOT operate on a “first come, first serve basis”.

You may put your child’s name on the waitlist when your child is born. Please note: a photocopy of your child’s official birth certificate is required for children under 14 months old.

No. We will never ask you to make a payment in order to be placed on the waitlist.

The majority of spaces become available between May and September of each year as children are leaving our program to commence kindergarten or high school. For Out of School Care Programs we offer temporary placements during Spring break and Summer Break months. 

Given we do not operate on a “first come – first serve” basis it is difficult to predict when a space may become available. Availability depends on several factors, including whether a sibling is currently enrolled, the date of application, the type of program, and, for Out of School Care programs, the school your child attends.

The average wait for a child care space for each program is approximately 1-3 years.

Note: This information is intended to help families understand when spaces are offered. It is general information and as such should not be considered a precise indicator as to when you may receive an offer of care.

Given we cannot guarantee that a space will become available we encourage families to continue exploring child care options.  West Coast Child Care Resource Centre can provide more information about child care in your community. http://www.wstcoast.org/index.html

LMNHS is an inclusive environment that welcomes children with diverse needs. If your child has specific support needs, we work together with you and Supported Child Development Consultants to develop individual goals by:

• Assess your child’s strenghts, interests and needs
• Determine how our programs meets these needs
• identify the support needed to successfully include your child in our program.

If your child was under 3 at the time of your application, we will reach out once they turn 3 to confirm whether you would like your child added to the waitlist for the 3–5 childcare program.

If you want your child to be added to the waitlist for school age, please contact us to do so.

Given LMNHS does not operate on a “first come – first serve” basis it is difficult to forecast when you can expect to receive a space offer. We do not provide waitlist numbers and are unable to respond to requests related place on the waitlist.

We aim to provide a minimum of one month notice.

When a space becomes available, we send a notification by email to a number of families on the waitlist to confirm who is interested. Please ensure you add emails from “@lmnhs.bc.ca” to your safe sender list.

From the responses received, we offer the space to the first “eligible” child using our established priorities. When we extend a space offer, you have 24 hours to respond. If we do not hear from you within 24 hours, we will move to the next child on the waitlist.

It is important you inform us of any changes in your contact information.

Families who have been offered a space will be invited to an orientation meeting at the program.  This allows families to view the program. If, within 48 hours of attending the orientation meeting families do not wish to accept the space, the space offer will be withdrawn with no monies owing.

We send notification by email to a number of families on the waitlist to determine who is interested. If you reply “yes” and are offered the space, but then change your mind, it will be considered a decline on your child’s file.  If you turn down 3 space offers, which match your request, your child’s name 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 third space offer.

If you do not require a child care space and would like to be removed from our waitlist, please complete the following survey: Click Me

A minimum of one month’s notice is required to cancel your child’s space. Fees are not pro-rated based on the number of days attended.

Once you accept a space (by signing the acceptance letter and submitting the fee payment form), you are responsible for paying 30 days of fees unless written notice of withdrawal dated on the first day of the month is received. 

A child’s sense of security, connection, and well-being is our priority. Strong relationships with caregivers and peers provide continuity that supports children’s growth and development. For this reason, transfers between programs or groups are not permitted, as maintaining consistent relationships and routines is essential for children’s well-being.

If your child is offered a space in the Under 3 program, care is guaranteed until your child turns 36 months. While we cannot guarantee a space beyond 36 months, children currently enrolled in our programs are always given priority.

To attend our Out of School Care programs, your child must be enrolled in one of the schools where the program operates.