While you’re on the waitlist

We recognize that waiting for a child care space to become available can be a challenging time for families. While we can’t offer a precise waitlist number or timeline, we are able to provide the information below, which we hope will be helpful.

Please note this resource is intended to help you estimate when you might receive an offer of enrolment for your child. It does not constitute an exact timeline.

Many variables influence your specific waitlist timeline, including when you applied, the number of applications for your child’s age group, the number of available spots, and the time of year—plus factors related to our priority admission order.

Notify us of any changes to your application or contact information

While you are on the waitlist, to make any changes to the application information you submitted, such as the requested entry date or your affiliation with UBC—or to update your contact information—please contact our Operations Manager.

It is critical you notify us of any changes to your contact information while you are on the waitlist. Once a space opens up for your child, if there are delays in reaching you or we cannot reach you, you risk losing the space and having your waitlist application cancelled.

Waitlist timelines

Please consider the following information when reviewing the general timelines (per age group and care type) below—to help you better understand how long it might take for you to receive an offer of enrolment:

  • Your affiliation with the UBC and priority admission group
  • Your child’s month and year of birth
  • The date you applied
  • Your requested entry start date

In general, families who requested to enter care between July and September may experience the shortest wait times. Waitlist timelines are typically the longest in late-April and the shortest by September, when we experience the highest turnover rates.

Note that families who do not receive an offer of enrolment by September, but are quite high on the list, may wait several more months before receiving an offer.

Under 3 years old

Typical waitlist timelines

  • Families typically apply for childcare promptly after receiving the due date for their child.
  • For children 8 to 36 months old, the waitlist timelines range from two to two and a half years long for UBC students, faculty and staff.

2.5 years old to school age

Typical waitlist timelines

  • The waitlist timeline is usually one to two years for this age group.

Withdrawing your application

If you decide to withdraw your application while you are on the waitlist, please email your request to the Operations Manager. There is no cancellation fee.

FAQs

My child is now eligible for an older age group than when I first applied. Do I need to submit a new application?

No, your original application is sufficient. Your child will be placed on the waitlist for the appropriate program and age range, based on their current age, rather than their age at the time of application. 

My anticipated care start date is approaching, but I haven’t received an update. What should I do?

If you are within two months of needing care for your child and have not received an update from us, please contact our Operations Manager to discuss your options.

If you need child care before a space becomes available at UBC Okanagan Child Care, you can access The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) program through the YMCA of Southern Interior of BC to explore other child care options. Complete the Find A Child Care Provider form and the CCRR team will send you a list of child care providers tailored to your family’s needs. Please note that inclusion on this list does not guarantee that a space is available for your child. UBC Okanagan does not endorse any specific child care provider or centre. This resource is provided for information-sharing purposes to support our community.

Additional questions?

If you have any questions while you are on the waitlist, you are welcome to contact our Operations Manager to discuss your child’s specific position on the waitlist.