Child Care Resources

The Berry Patch is Prince Rupert’s local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agency, providing a direct link to an up to date local registry of child care spaces, as well as supports for applying to child care assistance and benefits.

The Berry Patch CCRR

300-2nd Ave. West

Prince Rupert BC

V8J 1G6

Tel: 250-622-2434, Fax: 250-622-2435

e-mail: berrypatch@citywest.ca

Provincial Child Care Spaces Map

Additionally, the Province has an online registry and associated map, which providers can elect to be included in. 

Find Childcare Spaces

A number of local service agencies offer programs to help parents develop skills to help them raise healthy, happy children.

The City’s Community Resource Directory lists a number of these programs. Though programming availability sometimes changes due to availability of funding or community need, the organizations offering supportive programs are relatively consistent. Below are a list of the primary local providers.

• The Berry Patch Child Care Resource and Referral Program
• Ministry of Children & Family Development
• North Coast Community Services
• The Growing Space Society
• Kaien Anti Poverty Society
• The Friendship House Association

Indigenous Specific Supports

• Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society

Strongstart Program

Strongstart is a school based, early learning, free program for 0 to 5 year old preschool children and their parents or caregivers. For more Information Strong Start locations, check out the School District website.

(If your organization offers parenting programming and is not listed above, please contact Veronika Stewart, Communications Manager at the City of Prince Rupert to be included in this guide).

As the regulator of child care licensing in Prince Rupert, Northern Health provides regular inspections of local child care providers. The posted inspection reports are available.  Follow the link to the Public Health Protection Portal, click “Community Care Facilities” in the right hand column, and then select “Prince Rupert” from the list of communities. (Unfortunately there is no direct link available for the page, but following these instructions should lead you to the appropriate place).

Maternity and parental benefits in Canada are offered through your employer (inquire directly) and/or through the Federal Employment Insurance (EI) program. Eligibility information, applications, updates on application status, and other information is available online.

It is highly recommended to apply as soon as possible after you stop working. If you wait more than 4 weeks after your last day of work to apply, you may lose benefits.

View more information on the application process and to apply directly.

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a provincial program offering a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families can get. Families must renew their application every year.  Find out more about the Program, including eligibility and potential funding amounts. 

Parents who are under the age of 25 may qualify for Provincial help with child care while they finish high school – including:

• Up to $1,500 (per month per child) to help cover the cost of child care
• A space for their child in a care program at or near the school they're attending

This program is included in the application for the Affordable Child Care Benefit noted above, with some additional eligibility requirements, including that the child is enrolled in a license child care facility that is operating an approved Young Parent Program.

View more information on Young Parent Program

*Please note that this information may not be the most up-to-date available, please contact the associated Ministry for most recent available programming options, or reach out to the Berry Patch CCR.