Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Supported Child Development (SCD) Program, part of Island Health’s Child Youth and Family Rehabilitation Services, works with child care providers and families to facilitate inclusion in group child care for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
We collaborate with families, therapy teams, child care providers and community partners. We are a team of child care professionals who have experience with, and a strong commitment, to the practice of inclusion.
What we do
CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
Universal supports to promote inclusion and quality child care programming through training, mentorship, and workshops to child care providers. Please see our brochure for more information.
CHILD CENTRED CONSULTANT SERVICE
SCD consultants gather information from families, child care providers, community partners, as well as through observation of the child in the child care setting. SCD consultants make child specific recommendations to support the child’s inclusion in their child care setting. Consultants may provide resources, learning opportunities, equipment and inclusion strategies to the program staff.
ENHANCED RATIO SUPPORT FUNDING
Dependent on funding availability, direct funding to a child care centre to hire additional staff to support inclusion in child care.
How to access services
WORKSHOPS
The SCD Program has a variety of trainings including:
- supporting children with anxiety
- self-regulation
- self-care
- planning for inclusion
- understanding autism
- positive behaviour supports
TRAINING
SCD consultants will work with child care operators to tailor a collaborative service block focusing on universal design and inclusion.
RESOURCES
The SCD Program has a variety of materials and learning resources for loan. Your SCD consultant may also provide you with visuals and other tools for inclusion.
To enquire about individual training opportunities, our collaborative service blocks or lending materials, please call 250-519-6961 or your SCD consultant.
EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
(September to June) – Four year olds, in their year before Kindergarten, in licensed preschool settings can access child centred consultant service. Enhanced ratio support funding may be available. Referrals are accepted starting in February of the child’s four year old year. (We are currently taking referrals for children born in 2020.)
CHILD CARE AND OUT OF SCHOOL CARE
For families whose parents/guardians are working or going to school during regular child care hours. Child centred consultant service and enhanced ratio support funding may be available dependent resources available. (The SCD prioritizes four year olds in their pre-K year. All four year olds in a licensed preschool or full day child care program will be eligible for child centred consultant service.)
To make a referral please call 250-519-6763 or 250-519-6967.
SPRING AND SUMMER BREAKS
School Age Care – inclusion support grants provided directly to out of school care and day camp programs in the community to hire enhanced ratio staffing. Families register their school aged children (kindergarten to 12 years old) directly with camp programs and inform them of their inclusion needs. Programs work with families to determine availability and levels of support needed.
Referral or SCD program involvement is not required.
- Programs that have Spring and Summer Inclusion Grants for 2024 - 2025:
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- Beacon Community Services (Otter Be Fun and Beacon Nature Club)
- BGC of South Vancouver Island
- Braefoot Community Association
- Burnside Gorge Community Centre
- Campus View Child Care
- Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare (PSP Camps)
- City of Victoria
- Cloverdale Out of School Care
- Doncaster Oakcrest Childcare
- Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
- Friends of Tiggers
- Goosey Gander Kindergarten Association
- Happy Campers Child Care Ltd.
- His Kids
- James Bay Community School Society
- Keating Out of School Care
- Kidspace
- Lux Mundi OSC - Christ Church Cathedral
- Maria Montessori Academy
- Oak Bay Parks and Recreation
- Oaklands Community Association
- Pacific Heart
- Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE) Society
- Panorama Recreation Center
- Percy’s Clubhouse
- Quadra Village Community Child Care
- Raccoon Den Child Care
- Saanich Parks & Recreation
- Seedlings Forest Education
- Sir James Douglas OOSC
- St Patrick's Elementary Summer Program
- Summer Breeze Child Care
- Sunshine OSC
- The Cridge Centre for the Family
- University of Victoria – Vikes Athletics & Recreation and Science Venture
- Vancouver Island Kids Klub Society
- Victoria West Community Association
- West Shore Parks & Recreation
- Westmont Montessori
- YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria (Camp Thunderbird Day Camp Programs)
Grant applications are now available for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and are dependent on available resources. Deadline for submission is February 28, 2025.
TEEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS (TCC)
Contracted by SCD, Community Living Victoria provides after school, spring and summer break programs for CYSN eligible youth aged 12 to 19. To learn more about TCC, visit this page or call 250-477-7231 ext. 237.
Community Partners
Aboriginal Supported Child Development
Victoria Native Friendship Centre - 250-384-3211
Community Living Victoria
250-477-7231 ext. 237
Island Metis Family and Community Services Society
250-391-9924 or reception@metis.ca
Resources
Child Care Resource and Referral - Victoria
Child Care Resource and Referral - Saanich Peninsula
Child Care Resource and Referral - Sooke/Westshore
Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB)
ACCB Special Needs Supplement Form
