Child Care

Are you a parent or caregiver seeking daycare/child care options? Or are you interested in opening a child care facility? The City of Penticton has compiled this resource page as part of our commitment to improve access to quality and affordable child care throughout our community.

We are actively working with community partners to create new child care spaces and provide support today – and for the children of tomorrow. We know it is vitally important to find quality care so that your children are safe, healthy and thriving. Use this webpage as a central resource to connect you with the information you need to get started.

Penticton Child Care Action Plan Mobilization Group

Interested in child care in Penticton? On September 7, City Council approved the Terms of Reference for a Child Care Action Plan Mobilization Group/Committee. This group is beginning to meet on a regular basis.

The terms of reference for the group is available to view. The group includes:

Amanda, Parent
Blake, City of Penticton (non-voting; as needed)
Calie, Child Care Professional
Carly, Child Care Professional
Carrie, Child Care Resource and Referral
Kiran, Community Member
Sloane, Child Care Professional
Interior Health Authority (as needed)

To bring something to the group's attention, please email SocialDevelopment@penticton.ca or call 250-490-2512.

How to Find Child Care

Here are some places to search for child care in Penticton.
- Request a referral from Penticton’s Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) centre, which offers child care referral, resources and support to all child care providers and families throughout the region.
- Try the Province of BC’s online Child Care Referral program.
- Use the Government of BC’s Child Care Map to search availability by city.
- Facebook groups: Check out the Penticton Childcare group, which is a great place to post questions, and the Penticton Moms Supporting Moms page, where you can get connected with other local parents.
From special needs assistance to counselling and child care referrals, Penticton’s Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) centre is well acquainted with Penticton services and can help you find what you need. They can also help you apply for child care subsidies.
Children with Special Needs
Contact the following organizations:
- Okanagan Similkameen Neurology Society
- Penticton Centre for Exceptional Learning

Steps to Open a Child Care Centre

A community care facilities licence is required from Interior Health for all programs and facilities providing care to three or more children who are not related to the operator by blood or marriage.
Here are some links to get started. Note that child care centres will require a successful health inspection and a Community Care Facility Licence, both from Interior Health.
- Interior Health: Information about child care programs and licensing
- Interior Health: Download your Guide to Applying for a Child Care Licence
- Interior Health: Read about Inspections
- Province of BC: Open a Child Care Business
Have questions related to Interior Health licensing? Contact them directly by calling 1-877-980-5118 or email them over their online service.

New Child Care Centre Coming Soon

The City is making progress on its goal of creating new child care spaces in Penticton. Plans are moving forward on the Edmonton Avenue Child Care facility, which will provide child care to 116 children.

This new facility is estimated to be complete in September 2022 and will be operated by OneSky Community Resources. In addition to providing child care spaces for 116 children, it will have a new outdoor play places, parking spots and public washrooms.
The Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) awarded the City of Penticton a $2.9 million grant to replace the aging Edmonton Avenue Centre child care centre in Kiwanis Park.
To learn more, visit the project specific webpage.

A Plan to Increase Access to Child Care

The City is working with partners to identify opportunities to increase the number of child care spaces available throughout the community, while also increasing the affordability and quality of child care overall. The Penticton Child Care Action Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2021, identifies the following four priorities to meet our community’s child care needs.

Increase Access to Child Care
Make Child Care More Affordable
Focus on Quality
Strengthen Collaborations and Partnerships

Some of the 30 actions to be undertaken include:

Coordinating information sessions with Interior Health, the Penticton Fire Department and City departments to host workshops to help interested parties open a child care centre.
Advocating to other orders of government the need to reduce the cost of child care.
Working with the school district and Okanagan College to explore training programs for prospective early childhood educators.

Read the full Child Care Action Plan

City staff worked with the Social Planning and Research Council of British Columbia (SPARC BC) in 2020 to conduct various feedback opportunities including surveys, interviews, workshops and one-to-one engagements with families, parents, childcare providers and community partners. The Penticton Child Care Action Plan was the result of approximately 500 individuals participating in these conversations.
The initiative was supported by a $25,000 grant provided by the Province of BC and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities as part of its Community Child Care Space Creation Program.
Find Out More
- Penticton Child Care Action Plan
- Child Care Action Plan Fact Sheet

Contact Us

Social Development
Phone: 250-490-2512, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Email: socialdevelopment@penticton.ca

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