How to Find a Daycare in Coquitlam: A Local Guide for Tri-Cities Parents

Searching for a daycare in Coquitlam can eat up your evenings, especially when a return-to-work date is close. The process is simple once you break it into steps.

We’re Stars Childcare, a licensed family daycare in Westwood Plateau, and we talk with Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody families about this every week. Below is the plan we’d follow ourselves. If you’d like to see how a licensed family daycare in Coquitlam works day to day, our about page is a good place to start.

Step 1: Decide What You Need From a Coquitlam Daycare

• Your child’s age and the start date you need
• Full-time or part-time, and which days
• Hours that match your work schedule
• A location that fits your commute

If you drive Lougheed Highway each morning, a daycare near home may be easier. If you ride the Evergreen Line, a spot near Coquitlam Central, Burquitlam or Lafarge Lake-Douglas station may suit you better. Families in Westwood Plateau and Burke Mountain often prefer a quiet street close to home.

Step 2: Understand the Types of Child Care in Coquitlam

British Columbia has four main categories of care: licensed, registered licence-not-required, licence-not-required, and care in your child’s own home. Licensed care is regulated by the health authority and follows the provincial Child Care Licensing Regulation.

Licensed programs include group child care (a centre with larger rooms), preschool (part-day), and family child care, which takes place in the provider’s home with a small group. The province’s parents’ guide to choosing child care lists each type and its limits.

Licence-not-required care is legal only for up to two children who aren’t related to the provider. It isn’t licensed or inspected.

We’re a small, mixed-age daycare. We care for children up to age 5, and they see the same familiar faces every day. Some Coquitlam families want that home-like feel. Others prefer a bigger room. Pick what fits your child.

Step 3: Build Your Shortlist Using Official Coquitlam Tools

The province runs a searchable Child Care Map where you can filter by city or distance from your address, program type, hours, and extras like meals or additional languages.

The Tri-Cities Child Care Resource and Referral program is another free resource. It’s run through the YMCA, funded by the province, and serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra. You can reach them at 604-931-3400. They can also help with questions about the Affordable Child Care Benefit.

The City of Coquitlam’s child care page points to these resources too, along with ChildCareBC.

Aim for a shortlist of three to five daycares, and check each name against the official sources.

Step 4: Verify the Licence at Any Coquitlam Daycare

Ask every provider a plain question: "Are you licensed, and can I see your licence?" A good provider says yes without hesitation.

You can also read inspection records. The province explains that health authority inspection reports summarize inspections and substantiated complaints, and that licensed facilities typically get a routine inspection every 12 to 18 months.

One caution from the province itself: these reports don’t rank or grade a facility. Use them as one piece of information, then visit in person.

Step 5: Visit and Ask the Right Questions in Coquitlam

Watch how the caregiver responds to the children.

Questions worth asking:

• Who cares for my child each day, and what training do they have (ECE, first aid, CPR)?
• What does a typical day look like, including outdoor time and naps?
• How do you handle illness, emergencies and days you’re away?
• Can I speak with current families?

At Stars, we offer a free one-on-one visit, and you bring your child along. Shala Monfred, our owner and educator, has more than 30 years of childcare experience, an ECE diploma, and current First Aid, CPR and Food Safe certification. She can tell you about availability on the spot. Browse photos of our Coquitlam daycare first, or read a day at our Coquitlam daycare for the daily routine.

When to Start Your Daycare Search in Coquitlam (and How to Handle Waitlists)

Start early. Infant spots in particular go fast across Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities, and some local listing sites suggest joining waitlists as soon as you can, even during pregnancy. September is also a busy month, so searching in spring or summer gives you more choice.

Here’s a common scenario. A parent plans to return to work in January and starts calling in November. By then, several places they like are full. A parent who started in summer would have had more options.

A simple plan works well:

• Contact three to five daycares at the same time
• Note who you called and when to follow up
• Check back every few weeks
• Ask about part-time days or a different start month

We don’t have a waitlist right now, but spots are limited, and small daycares fill quickly. A quick call tells you where things stand.

Plan for Kindergarten When Choosing a Coquitlam Daycare

School District 43 serves Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra, with kindergarten at all 45 of its elementary schools.

For children aged 3 to 5, we focus on early literacy, numbers and social skills through play, so kids are kindergarten ready.

Why Coquitlam Families Choose Stars Childcare

We’ve cared for Coquitlam and Tri-Cities children since 1994. We take infants (0 to 18 months), toddlers (18 months to 3 years) and preschoolers (3 to 5 years), with full-time and part-time places, Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 5:30pm.

Our bright ground-floor space has its own entrance, ample parking and a very large fenced backyard with a playground and garden. We provide healthy snacks and drinks, and families pack lunch. Shala speaks English, Farsi and Spanish.

Crystal WaChong called Shala "a grandma to everyone who comes through her doors." You can read more on our Coquitlam daycare testimonials page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Daycare in Coquitlam

Book a Free Visit at Our Coquitlam Daycare

If you’re searching for a daycare in Coquitlam, we’d be glad to meet you and your child. Call Shala at 604-945-9416, email shala@starschildcare.ca, or contact our Coquitlam daycare to book a free visit.