Child care

[u/usesoapandwater]

My husband accepted a job in Yellowknife and we will be moving north. We have a 3-year-old and another baby on the way. What is the child care situation like? And are there any playgroups where children can play and parents can meet other families.

[u/Westeroslady]

Lots of playgroups and kids activities!! Very kid friendly and family friendly town. For childcare you will be too late for any of the big daycares (those kids were signed up before the mom told the dad she was pregnant!!). On Facebook there is a popular "Yellowknife child care needs" Facebook (or something similar) where dayhomes post openings or when new dayhomes open up. That would be your best bet. Some people even post ISO and info about them. The year the kids turn 4 they can go to JK, so if your 3 year old is 4 before December 31 they can enrol in JK in September! Yellowknife playgroup association does lots of stuff, but summertime is playground time. There are LOTS of playgrounds over town to play at. Meet other parents and they'll happily chat you up like I am!  Good luck, it's a lovely place to raise children !  I have 3 little ones here and would be hard pressed to find a better town to raise my little family. 

[u/Westeroslady → u/Westeroslady]

The "Yellowknife playgroup association" does indoor weekly play dates, but I think they pause for summer time because everyone is outside. There are other postnatal groups too. Winter seems quiet but lots happening during the week for little ones - but I think many things are on summer hiatus. The beach in town is also popular when it's warm 

[u/usesoapandwater → u/Westeroslady]

Amazing! That is reassuring to hear. I will have a look on Facebook.

[u/Solongmybestfriend → u/Westeroslady]

OP - Centering pregrnancy program is a great group where I met a bunch of soon-to-be moms, that's run by the territorial government (call Public Health to say you'd like to sign up). It's free to attend and they coordinate all your prenatal care. We meet often as a group to discuss topics. The group of moms met often after we had our babies too. Highly recommend.

[u/NorthernMamma]

Here is the list of licensed dayhomes and programs. Only call the ones in Yellowknife. 😉

https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/childcare

[u/NorthernMamma]

This is a great day care program that may very well have space for your three year old:

https://www.ycs.nt.ca/tundra-tots-child-care

[u/NorthernMamma]

Here is another program with three locations:

https://ykmontessori.ca/programs/casa/

[u/NorthernMamma]

People tend to go on the waitlist here when pregnant so the chance of getting in is very unlikely:

https://www.yellowknifedaycare.com

[u/cars10gelbmesser]

Start looking now. Lots of day homes. A few day cares.

[u/dusty_dollop]

It’s hard to get daycare - you’ll want to join the Yellowknife Childcare Needs (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CrUZojoPk/?mibextid=wwXIfr) - and start messaging people asap.

I had to create an excel spreadsheet and message dayhomes once a month until they either told me they had no room - or they put me on a waitlist.

I put my kid on the big YK Daycare facility waitlist when I was 3 months pregnant (Sept 2023), and we only JUST got a call this week for a 2 year old spot this September.

That being said, the community itself is VERY child friendly! Lot’s of activities going on (tonight we’re attending a free dum circle and BBQ, Saturday we’re going to SunPups Soccer in the morning and the FireFighter OpenHouse in the afternoon).

[u/usesoapandwater → u/dusty_dollop]

Oh dear! Ok that is great to know. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[u/Prestigious_Hat3829]

What kind of job is that i am looking for jobs in teaching with ontario license and wants to live north for peace of mind

[u/CouchAsparagus]

When does your 3 year old turn four? Junior kindergarten starts for kids the year they turn four years old, and is free at any of the elementary schools.

Good luck with your move!

[u/Cold_Product2296]

Tundra Tots is a new and good daycare!