West Kelowna

Daycare

We view all children as individuals who bring their own unique ideas, learning styles, and are competent, capable and curious.

We support all aspects of a child’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and creative development and we strive for each child to experience a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Our dedicated Early Childhood Educators connect each family’s unique diverse strength, and maintain relationships based on mutual trust, openness and respect. Communication is vital and we encourage two-way dialogue between parents and educators.

To support quality in our programs we invest in our educators and provide professional learning opportunities and encourage reflective practise.

Preschool

Our program provides activities to promote all aspects of a child’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and creative development. We strive for each child to experience a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Our dedicated Early Childhood Educators connect each family’s unique diverse strength, and maintain relationships based on mutual trust, openness and respect. Communication is vital and we encourage two-way dialogue between parents and educators.
To support quality in our programs we invest in our educators and provide professional learning opportunities and encourage reflective practise.

After School Programs

After school programs emphasize a sense of belonging, help make positive choices, learn healthy behaviours and build on a child’s strengths encouraging them to reach their potential. Parents often comment that they “trust our staff in caring for their children.” We understand the importance of physical health, social and emotional development, learning, and allowing kids to be themselves in a supportive, safe place where they are encouraged to explore, try new activities, and have a lot of FUN!

Recreation Programs

Each Club location offers recreation programs to meet the community needs. Each community location will offer monthly calendars describing the specific activities that can be located on our Facebook pages and at the service locations. Examples include activities such as community field trips, sports, BGC Canada clubs programs, life skills, creative arts, leadership and learning. The Recreation program is open year round at various times based on program offerings. See service location for monthly calendars for specific times and dates.

Parents are responsible for a yearly membership and program fees. Program fees will vary dependent on the program. Financial Subsidies or Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding may be available for eligible families.

Find more info on what your Club is offering by clicking here

Reconnect

Reconnect Counsellors work with youth ages 13 – 18 and their families. Supports available through Reconnect are adaptable; occur one-to-one, in group and by referral; on site and in the community. Supports range from:
Prevention work that can ‘turn off the tap’ to youth homelessness while youth are still in their home:

• Strengthening families
• Caregiver-teen mediation
• Identifying risk early
• Building resilience

Reducing risk and enhancing protective factors:

• Developing coping skills
• Brief Intervention Counseling
• Navigating health systems and community resources
• One on one support and counseling
• Developing parent skill set
• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
• Parent-teen mediation
• Referrals to community supports and services
• Parents Together parenting program

Crisis intervention and supports

• Safety planning
• Shelter diversion
• Harm reduction
• Advocacy
• Access to housing and income support
• Access to health interventions
• Street outreach

While Reconnect is an excellent program to support families in crisis, it is equally important to refer families who haven’t had a breakdown yet, but are at risk of one.

Youth Recreation Programs

Our programs are accessible, affordable and address community needs. Youth can be referred to other supports within BGC Okanagan as needed.

Employment Support

At the Downtown Youth Centre volunteers also help lead informal training on becoming employed.

Program for Children and Teens with Support Needs

Program Streams
The Direct Support Stream provides service to children who need more support integrating into programs with an individual worker. Depending on the needs of the children workers may work 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3.

The Club Support Stream focuses on assisting children with support needs in fully integrating into BGC Okanagan programs and assists existing staff with children who are eligible for CYSN services.

The Community Support Stream assists children with support needs in participating in extracurricular activities outside of their home or the BGC Okanagan Clubs setting. This could include: sports, after school activities (ie. Yearbook clubs, employment, etc.). Transportation is provided to and from activities.

The Life Skills Program Stream provides youth ages 13-18 the opportunity to learn vital skills associated with living alone or semi independently, preparing them for the future as an adult. The Life Skills program blends daily living, personal/social and work related skills into integrated fun lessons designed to increase self- confidence and build important community connections.

Program hours
Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of families. Program times and frequency can be tailored to meet the needs of each family.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the program the following criteria must be met:
• Children must be referred to the program through MCFD.
• Children referred are between the ages of 5 – 19
• Children live within the Central Okanagan
• There are no significant medical needs

For more information on our programs for children and teens with support needs contact your nearest Club location:

West Kelowna – 250-768-3049
Kelowna – 250-762-3914
Rutland – 250-765-3345

Parent & Tot