The Supported Child Development (SCD) Program assists families requiring child care, preschool, or out-of-school care for their children aged 0 - 19 years of age. These children may have a developmental delay, disorder, or extra support needs and would benefit from additional program support.  BCCFA holds the contracts for Burnaby SCD, Burnaby Aboriginal SCD, and Vancouver SCD.

The SCD Program also provides support to care providers like child care centres, preschool, and out-of-school care programs to develop inclusive principles and practices to enhance all children’s experiences.

What We Do

Services for Families

We assist families in finding possible options and available spaces in licensed child care, preschool, and out-of-school care programs. We also help design individual program plans to meet the individual needs of each child in a child care setting.

We assist with community and kindergarten transitions and help families by providing information on child care subsidies, available community resources, and access to our Toy Lending Libraries.

Services for Care Providers

Our staff assist licensed child care and preschools by providing consultation and implementation of inclusive principles and practices. Child care providers may also access our Toy Lending Libraries for items to use within their child care settings.  Once children are accepted into a program, we help in the implementation of their individualized program and/or positive behavior support plans. Finally, we provide hands-on support to demonstrate effective strategies and model interaction styles to ensure the child has an enabling and inclusive environment to learn, grow and develop.

In addition to direct services, the SCD program also offers Inservice and workshops for inclusion and Familiy Centred Principles and Practises; Licensed child centres can also take borrow toys and materials for program enhancement from the SCD Lending Library.

Guiding Principles

Inclusion - All children are supported to participate fully in neighbourhood child care programs.

Family Centred - This means that you, the parent, choose what kind of child care program you want.

Individual Planning -  each child's unique strengths and needs are recognized and supported.

Developmentally Appropriate Support - children with developmental needs have access to early intervention and developmentally appropriate supports.

Respect for Cultural Diversity.

Support for Capacity building in Aboriginal communities.

Who We Serve

Children and Youth (0-19): Who are residents of British Columbia and who may require additional support to attend child care or preschool.

Care Providers: Any licensed/registered license-not-required child care program or preschool located in Vancouver or Burnaby.

Family Centred Practice

Family Centered Practice: Parents are the key members of the SCD Team. Parents and community partners work together, with parents having the final decision regarding the child’s care placement and program plan.

Inclusion: This philosophy recognizes the right of all children, regardless of ability, to participate actively in licensed child care settings within their community.

Cost of Program

This program is funded by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development and operated by the BC Centre For Ability.

Fees: There is no charge for the services and supports available through the Program. Parents are responsible for the cost of child care.