Burnaby Neighbourhood House: 4460 Beresford Street, Burnaby, BC, V5H 0B8
Literacy Outreach Coordinator: 604-562-3447
literacynow@burnabynh.ca

Family/Children’s Literacy Programs

Many parents and families may not know about the wealth of free programs to help raise young children in the Burnaby / New Westminster area. Here is a complete list of all program providers with a general description and links to their websites. The PDF image posted below will provide the most up-to-date details.

All Program Details (Updated each season)

BC Supported Child Development At The BC Centre For Ability

The Supported Child Development Program (SCD) assists families of children who require additional support to access inclusive child care programs. Working with daycares, preschools, family daycares and out of school care programs, we provide consultation services and extra staffing assistance to ensure inclusive practices for children who have a demonstrated need for extra support.

BC Centre for Ability

What Do We Offer?

Services for Families
SCD assists families in finding options and available spaces in licensed daycare, preschool and out-of-school care programs as well as support families by providing information on child care subsidies, community resources, and access to the SCD toy lending libraries.
Our SCD Consultants work directly with families and in collaboration with child care programs and other members of a child’s team to develop individual plans to meet the needs of the child. SCD Consultants also assists with community and kindergarten transitions.

Services for Child Care Programs
SCD Consultants assist licensed or licensed not required daycare, preschool and out of school care programs and family child care programs by providing consultation that supports the understanding and implementation of inclusive principles and practices. The SCD consultants use a wide variety of strategies to teach, demonstrate and support child care program staff in the use of effective strategies when including children with extra support needs. These strategies include direct hands on support and modelling of interaction styles as well as workshops and training opportunities on inclusion and other specific child care related topics such as social emotional skill development. Child care program staff may access our toy lending libraries for toys and equipment to enhance their child care programs.

Additional Staffing Support Funding
The SCD Program provides additional funding for staffing support to assist with the inclusion of children with extra needs to be successful in a child care program. There is a waitlist for this funding – the eligibility and priority are determined through the Coast Fraser Regional Waiting List Priority Tool.
The SCD Program is advised by a Local Advisory Committee that guides and supports the SCD Program in the delivery and ongoing development of services. Parents, child care program staff, and community partners can have a voice in guiding and supporting the SCD Program by joining their Local Advisory Committee.

Where Are Services Delivered?
The BC Centre for Ability provides Supported Child Development services in Vancouver and Burnaby.

BC Centre for Ability

Website

Burnaby Family Life

Since 1971, Burnaby Family Life has been offering quality community social services in Burnaby and in neighbouring communities. We’re building on that tradition and working everyday to make this a more inclusive, welcoming and safe community for all.

Burnaby Family Life

What Do We Offer?

  • Baby & Me Second stage
  • Family Drop Ins
  • Learning Together Through Play
  • Parent-Child Mother Goose
  • Expecting & New Moms
  • Pregnancy Outreach Program
  • Healthy Care Pregnancy Program
  • One-to-one, by phone, online, or virtual groups
  • Parenting and Support Groups
  • Nobody’s Perfect
  • LGBTQ2SIA+ Parent Support Group
  • Systematic training for effective parenting
  • Calm & Confident Parenting
  • Fatherhood, A Journey
  • Parenting for Immigrants
  • Parenting for Immigrants (Arabic)
  • Immigrant Women Support Group

Website

Burnaby Neighbourhood House

Burnaby Neighbourhood House is a community driven and community funded agency located on the unceded territories of the Tsleil-Wauthuth (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) and Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) nations with a unique focus on neighbours supporting neighbours.

Burnaby Neighbourhood House

What Do We Offer?

  • Preschool (2-5 years old)
  • Neighbourlies Parties & Events for children (2-5 years old)
  • Marlborough Early Years Centre (3-5 years old)
  • School Age Childcare (6-12 years old)
  • Family Place (0-5 years old)
  • Neighbourhood Outreach (For families with children 0-12 who need help accessing community information)
  • Workshops: How to support your child’s social-emotional development during COVID?

Website

Burnaby Public Library

Burnaby Public Library empowers the community to engage with and share stories, ideas and information. Our vision is a welcoming community where all people can explore, learn and connect.

Burnaby Public Library

What Do We Offer?

  • Babytime (Songs and rhymes for babies 0-18 months)
  • Family Storytime (Songs, rhymes and stories for kids of all ages and their caregivers)

Website

Cameray Child and Family Services

Cameray Child and Family Services is a community-based agency committed to the strengthening of individuals and families through a spectrum of services including counselling, education, outreach and advocacy.

https://www.cameray.ca/

Family Service of Greater Vancouver

At Family Services of Greater Vancouver, we’ve been helping people in crisis since 1928. 

In delivering more than 50 programs, services, and workshops across Greater Vancouver, we help people develop skills and knowledge, and empower our clients to create positive change in their lives.

https://fsgv.ca/

What Do We Offer?

Website

Family Services of Greater Vancouver New Westminster Branch

In addition, we are happy to present FSGV community programs serving families located in the New Westminster – Burnaby area (call 604-368-2154 or email ceds-nw@fdgv.ca):

Information Children

The Canadian Society for Information Children is a non-profit organization and a registered charity, founded in 1979. We provide information, support and referrals to parents and others on most any matters related to the care and well-being of families with children 12 years and under. Our Parent Coach-Educators answer all Helpline calls; for areas outside of our area of expertise, we provide parents with referrals to other community organizations or resources related to the concern.

https://www.informationchildren.com/

Kids In Burnaby / Burnaby Early Childhood Development Community Table

We are made up of individuals in Burnaby who are interested in supporting families with children in the early years (birth to age 6). Members include representatives from provincial ministries, the municipality, health region, school district, and non-profit agencies. We share information and sets priorities for programs and services.

https://www.kidsinburnaby.ca/

MOSAIC’s Family Centre

MOSAIC is one of the largest settlement non-profit organizations in Canada. We serve immigrant, refugee, migrant and mainstream communities in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as well as throughout the province of BC and overseas via online programs.

https://www.mosaicbc.org/

What Do We Offer?

Staff members are able to serve clients in (አማርኛ), Arabic (عربي), Dari (دری), English, Farsi (فارسی), Korean (한국어), Mandarin (中文), Pashto (پښتو), Spanish (Español), Tigringa (ትግርኛ) and Urdu (اُردو).

Website

Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS)

The Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS) has over 45 years of experience working with immigrant and refugee women and a long history of participatory empowerment. We are unique in that we are one of the only organizations across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland dedicated to addressing the needs and challenges of migrant women and children.

https://pirs.bc.ca/

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Founded in 1973 by a passionate group of immigrant volunteers who wanted to contribute back to Canada, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has evolved into one of the largest social service agencies in the country.

Today, we offer a wide range of programs and services that promote the belonging, wellness, and independence of all people on their Canadian journey.

https://successbc.ca/

What Do We Offer?

  • Parenting Club (Korean)
  • Parenting Club (Mandarin)
  • Mother Goose Program (Cantonese and Mandarin)
  • Parenting Chat Room One-on-One Consultation (Korean & Mandarin)
  • Nobody’s Perfect (Cantonese)
  • Nobody’s Perfect (Korean)

Website

Spirit of the Children Society (SOTCS)

Vision: The spirit of Indigenous children and families in our community is nurtured to love, laugh, play, and achieve their dreams. Their unique cultural traditions are recognized and valued within a safe, respectful society.
Mission: The Spirit of the Children Society walks in love, honor and respect to learn, share our identity, and heal together.
Our Values: At the Spirit of the Children Society, we are dedicated to make positive changes with a vision of family health, community well-being, and cultural prosperity. Our values are based on The Seven Sacred Teachings.

https://sotcs.ca/

St. Leonard’s Youth and Family Services Society (STLEO)

What is STLEO?
St Leonard’s Youth and Family Services Society (dba STLEO) is a not for profit organization based in Burnaby BC serving children, youth, and families in need. STLEO has been providing the community with crucial social services since 1967.
What services does STLEO offer?
STLEO provides services ranging from counselling and education services for children, youth, and families in the community to residential services for children and youth who are in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. STLEO connects people with needed community resources. STLEO builds bridges into the community. STLEO believes.
How many people does STLEO serve on a yearly basis?
STLEO served 470 people and families in the past year.
Where does STLEO operate?
Our main office is in the Edmonds area of Burnaby, BC. We provide services in Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, and Delta.
Who does STLEO serve on a yearly basis?
Every year, we help children, youth, and families who are stuck and needing to take the next steps with their lives. Some come willingly, and others are mandated, but every single person that walks through our door gets care and attention second to none.
Does STLEO have any religious affiliations?
No – STLEO is a secular organization.

https://www.stleo.ca/

What Do We Offer?

Website

StrongStart BC – The Province of British Columbia

StrongStart BC programs provide rich learning environments designed for early learning development – language, physical, cognitive, social and emotional. Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages.

Strong Start BC

What Do We Offer?

Participate with your young child (aged birth to five) in play-based early learning activities – including stories, music and art. At no cost to families, this early learning drop-in program helps prepare children for success in Kindergarten.

There are 329 StrongStart BC programs currently offered in BC. StrongStart BC centres operate on a drop-in basis during the school year, and are intended for attendance by children ages 0-5, along with their parent or caregiver. A parent or a caregiver registers when they attend for the first time. Each school district has one or more locations offering a program, usually located within schools.

You may attend any centre that you wish. Call the school or school district offices to ask about program attendance, schedules, and hours of operation.

Website

YMCA of Greater Vancouver

For more than 135 years, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver has cared for kids, shaped leaders for tomorrow and helped generations of people come together to find support, get healthier and make friends for life.

Typically, you can enter one of our 270+ YMCA program locations across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley or Sunshine Coast and find a community of people participating in life-enhancing programs. But today, during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, you will find thousands of people connecting with each other online and finding the resources they need to continue learning, connecting and growing through online groups, programs, services and resources.

https://www.gv.ymca.ca/