I'm a bit confused as to the schooling system in Vancouver. Children in the UK will have nursery / Childminding from Birth (yes some nurseries do) until 5 yrs. From 2 / 3 yrs your child could start pre-school or continue with a nursery (all slightly differing costs, but must follow the basics in early childhood education). School age (primary) is 5 yrs.

Am I getting it right that School age is 6 year old in Vancouver, with Kindergarton at 5, and babies / children aged 0 to 6 (until they start primary school) is all chargeable (no help with funding of early years child care / education?) Or is kindergarton free?

What is the usual starting month for School (UK is September intake).
Thanks

K-12 is funded by the province. Some school district do all day K some only part day. There is a small tax benefit for child care (about $1200 a year).

Other than that parents have to pay their own child care, rather than the taxpayer footing the bill, go figure!

Schools start in Sept. however it is advisable to register long in advance of that.

Thanks Aviator, is school starting age from 5 or 6? this is what i'm mainly confused by. I understand it to be 6 with kindergarton (i'm gathering kindergarton is a 1 year pre-school at aged 5?) Can you clarify if kindergarton is funded by the province or the parents pay.

I'm just trying to make sure I understand correctly as I have twins that are very young at present and currently living in the UK grandparents help out with childcare whilst both parents work. If we move to Canada, we won't have the luxury of grandparents to look after so need to find out when school kicks in and paying out childcare or for a nursery place stops (having twins doesn't make it financially viable to rtn to work for most until they reach school age unless you have family help!!). Ideally we would like to relocate around a year before they are due to start primary school, therefore eliminating most if not all of nursery day fees so both parents can work your typical working day.

The procedure does vary by school district but you register your child to attend kindergarten from September in the year they have their fifth birthday.

Most districts open their registration in the winter and parents who want a specific choice of school or program will register their child as soon as registration opens.

If you are late registering (e.g. you arrive in Canada during spring/summer) the child will still be accepted but it is unlikely that the popular programs, like French immersion, will still be available and there is no guarantee that there will be space at the nearest school.

Schooling K-12 is free but I seem to remember that we had to write the school a cheque for about $120 twice a year as a contribution to non-core subjects. The school does not supply exercise books or stationary and will give you a list of supplies you are expected to provide for your child.

You have to pay for any childcare or schooling before kindergarten

As Aviator says above there is a benefit of $100 a month (taxable) for each pre-kindergarten child that is intended to help subsidize childcare. If both parents are working or at university then the lowest earning parent can deduct up to $7,000 per child of childcare expenses paid from their taxable income.

In general (depends when the child is born), K is age 5, Gr 1 age 6. Funded by the province. Pre-shcool and child care you pay for.

Our school district (on the North Shore) now has full day kindergarten - it was half day until two years ago. Some districts still have half day kindergarten.

Children start kindergarten in the September of the calendar year when they turn 5 - so those with birthdays Sept - Dec are still 4 at the start of kindergarten.

Education from kindergarten through 12th grade is free, however we have to buy "supplies" (stationery, exercise books, folders etc) at the start of the year. We pay about $80 per child, but they are a bit older - maybe cheaper for kindergarten.

Kindergarten is considered the first year of school rather than preschool - the kindergartens round here are in the elementary schools.