The following steps can help increase your chances of finding child care and prepare your child(ren) for upcoming changes:
1. Research child care options in advance
- Start early: As soon as you know you will be relocating, begin your search for child care. Make it a priority to set aside time to contact centre-based and/or home-based child care providers. Since each province and territory has different processes for finding child care and joining waitlists, reach out to a Child Care Navigator. They can help you explore child care options in your new location and provide personalized support.
- Check waitlists: High-demand areas often have waitlists, so inquire about putting your child’s name on the waitlist.
- If you haven’t moved to your new community yet but have started looking for child care, ask the MFRC in your new location if you can use their address to register on waitlists. MFRC’s can also help you find information on local child care resources. Additionally, you can reach out to a Child Care Navigator.
- Explore online tools: Use provincial/territorial or municipal child care registries and review licensed care provider directories for each province and territory. Social media can also be helpful: consider military/community/school/parent Facebook groups, or research online babysitting apps e.g., www.babysits.ca, www.sitly.ca, www.birdiebreak.com.
2. Visit child care facilities
- Schedule tours: If possible, visit child care centres during House Hunting Trips (HHT) or Destination Inspection Trips (DIT) to assess the environment, meet staff, and ask questions. Virtual tours may also be an option if you’re unable to attend in person.
- Ask key questions: Inquire about staff qualifications, daily routines, parent communication, fees and how they support new children adjusting to care. Also, ask how they support the varying needs of families and children, and family dynamics. Explore helpful questions to guide your conversations with providers and centres.
- Look for compatibility: Choose a child care option that aligns with your child’s needs, your family’s values, and your schedule. In military life, flexibility can be especially important, so consider how well the program can support changing routines or operational demands.
3. Find and use subsidies and financial support
- Explore provincial/territorial programs: Each province and territory have its own child care subsidy or cost reduction programs to reduce costs of child care. Some have financial support for children with special needs. Check eligibility requirements for your new location.
- Assistance through CFMWS: CFMWS offers additional financial supports for child care for eligible military families (i.e., Summer Camps Program).
- Canadian Armed Forces’ relocation directive: This directive outlines what child care expenses may be eligible for reimbursement and when they can be claimed throughout the relocation process.
- Tax benefits: Keep records of child care expenses to claim applicable tax deductions or credits. Find out about eligibility.
4. Help your child(ren) adjust
- Read storybooks created for military-connected children: Read books that are created to support children in understanding their unique experience in a military family. You’ll find six wonderful storybooks on our website. This resource can also be shared with your new child care provider and other community supports to help them better support your child.
- Establish routines: Consistency helps children feel secure. Keep regular routines for drop-offs, meals, and bedtime.
- Communicate openly: Talk to your child(ren) about the move and what to expect at their new child care program. If possible, show them pictures of the new program, and of the new educators.
- Provide comfort items: Allow your child(ren) to bring a favourite toy or blanket when visiting and starting a new child care program to ease separation anxiety.
- Collaborate with child care providers: Share details about your child(ren)’s preferences, needs, and interests to help staff create a welcoming environment. Consider creating an “All About Me” book with your child(ren) that includes their favourite activities, toys, foods, and ways to be comforted. Research free online resources for inspiration.
- Good to Go! A Guide to Your Military Move: Consult page 132 of this resource for practical information to help your child(ren) through a relocation.
5. If you can’t find child care immediately upon arrival or for the next few months, consider these alternatives
- Family and friends: Reach out to family members or friends who might be able to help temporarily.
- Respite care: You may wish to check with your local MFRC to explore available respite care options during periods of deployment.
- Community drop‑in programs: Many communities offer drop‑in programs that provide opportunities to connect with other families. These programs can help you build relationships and expand your network of child care and community support options.
- Nanny or babysitter or community drop-in programs: Hire a nanny or babysitter for short term care. Some families may also consider a nanny share, where two or more families share the services and cost of a nanny, offering both affordability and social interaction for children.
- Summer camps: These can be a great child care option in the summer and are often easy to find and affordable. They also provide an opportunity for your child(ren) to connect with others and make new friends.
- Parent co-ops: Join or form a parent co-op where families take turns caring for each other’s children.
- Caregivers in your community: Check community bulletin boards, ask your hairdresser or barber, ask your child(ren)’s sports coach or parents of children on their team, ask your child(ren)’s teacher, connect with your neighbours, inquire at your place of worship. In short, be creative to find babysitting or child care recommendations.
- Flexible work arrangements: Discuss flexible work options with your employer, such as remote work or adjusted hours.
6. Ask for help when you need it
- Reach out for support: For help and support navigating the local child care system, understanding options, and accessing financial support, make an appointment with a Child Care Navigator by filling out this intake form. For broader family and relocation support, contact your local Military Family Resource Centre or if you have a child care emergency you can connect with the Family Information Line.
Updated: May, 2026.If you see information that’s incorrect, please contact childcare@cfmws.com.
