First steps for families with children
1. Enrollment in daycare or school
When you move to Canada with children, it is essential to find the right school and complete the enrollment formalities:
- Public schools: free programs.
- Daycare centers and extracurricular activities: some may require payment.
Options for families in Nanaimo
100% French-speaking course
- Les Étoiles de mer daycare center (ages 2.5 to 5)
- École Océane (elementary school, ages 6 to 12)
- French-language program at NDSS (secondary school, ages 13–17)
French immersion schools
Four schools within School District 68 (SD68) offering bilingual education.
English-speaking schools
Various options to promote the integration of children.
2. Apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
The ACE is a monthly financial support to help families cover education and childcare costs:
- Applications can be submitted online or via an official form.
- To be completed promptly after moving to Nanaimo.
Requirements
Parents must be permanent residents; the amount varies according to household income.
3. Obtain provincial childcare assistance
In British Columbia, families can receive the Child Care Benefit, which reduces the cost of licensed child care services:
- The amount depends on the age of the children, family income, and the childcare service chosen.
- French-language daycare centers such as Les Étoiles de mer in Nanaimo participate in this program.
- This financial support can be significant for newly settled families.
To enrich your children's lives and facilitate their integration, check out the section dedicated to families.