NOTICE: Due to advisories against group gatherings, this year’s tours will be cancelled until further notice.

Join the Vancouver Reggio Association as we host visits to notable local child care programs. Tickets are available for individual tours at $25 each, or for all 5 tours at a discounted $90: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tour-and-talk-2020-tickets-83413535129

West Cambie Children’s Centre
Society of Richmond Children’s Centres
Address: 4033 Stolberg St, Richmond
Date: January 21st, 2020
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Website: https://richmondchildcare.org/

Huckleberry Child Care (UBC)
Address: 2725 Osoyoos Cres, Vancouver
Date: February 11th, 2020
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Website: https://childcare.ubc.ca/

Huckleberry Child Care Centre is one of UBC Child Care Services’ toddler centres. Twelve children between one and three years of age attend the centre which is located on the ground floor of a UBC residence for students with families. In the last year, the educators at Huckleberry have challenged assumptions about very young children’s willingness and interest in engaging in long term projects. They created a studio in a space that had been under-used and explored one colour – black. The project has been ongoing. While the children have been engaged in exploring black paint and other black materials, the educators have been exploring their understanding of project work, young children, “developmental truths” and what constitutes early childhood education. They are happy to share their uncomfortable, unresolved, unfinished journey with you. 

SFU Childcare Society
Address: 8888 University Drive, Burnaby
Date: April 15th, 2020
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Website: http://www.sfu.ca/childcare.html

SFU Childcare Society is a Reggio inspired child care nestled in the trees on top of Burnaby Mountain. We value children, educators, families, and the natural environment for the contributions that they all bring to the space in which we live in community with one another. Through our mission of “Leading excellence in early care and learning in a sustainable way,” we consider quality and how we can shift from “thoughts of quality” to creating conditions and values in which quality thrives.

During the VRA tour, you will have an opportunity to wander through the SFU UniverCity Childcare and observe how intellectual materials open up invitations of possibilities and curiosity. You will have time to engage with the materials to see how these materials can live within your environments.

UniverCity Childcare (UCC) provides early childhood education for two groups of 25, 3-5 year olds.  UCC , acts as a ‘living lab’ for educators and teacher researchers, and is a model for sustainable practices as the seventh building to register for Living Building Challenge worldwide.

Karen and Gary Simkin Family Child Development Centre (JCC)
Address: 950 W. 41st Ave Vancouver
Date: May 14th, 2020 (TBD)
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Website: https://www.jccgv.com/early-childhood/

All of the programs at the Karen and Gary Simkin Child Development Centre share the same philosophy of learning through play with a strong emphasis on children’s social and emotional growth. Our teachers are licensed early childhood educators who continue to upgrade their knowledge and skills with regular professional development opportunities. Whether it’s a morning preschool room or a full-day daycare room, the same rigour is present around curriculum development. Teachers in each room nurture and provide care and education for your children, building relationships of trust and security. We believe that children’s growing capacity for kindness and compassion, creativity and critical thinking skills are the foundation for our future. 

“Our task is to help children climb their own mountains, as high as possible. No one can do more.” – Loris Malaguzzi, founder Reggio Emilia schools, Italy 

We begin with the children’s interests as a way to build curriculum. When the curriculum reflects your child’s interests and ideas they feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. Their potential for learning is greatly heightened. Inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy and an integral part of the BC Early Learning Framework (2009) from the British Columbia Ministry of Education, this philosophy of early learning is based on the image of the child as competent, curious and capable. Pictures, photographs and text in each room tell stories about what children are learning during their day.


Professional Development Certificates for 2 hours will be available. Light refreshments will be served for your enjoyment.