Bowen Island Family Place is where families with young children meet, play, learn and grow together. Over the years, many lasting friendships have started right here! We are housed on the lower level of BCC, sharing a purpose-built space with the Bowen Island Youth Centre. We are open Monday through Friday. Come on over for a cup of tea, chat with friends and to let the children play! Our warm, knowledgeable and wonderful staff will be there to greet you.
Contact: Call 604-947-2717 ext 2, or email coordinator@bowenislandfamilyplace.com
Programs
Family Place has five featured programs, outlined below. Note that we are closed on statutory holidays.
Family Place Drop in
Open to all children, ages 0-6, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Children’s potluck snack is served each morning.
Baby Connections
For expecting and new parents, as well as their babies 0-12 months. Scheduled guest speakers, tea/coffee and snacks.
Friday 11am – 1pm
Daddy & Me
Please join Qurban for this NEW weekly Saturday morning breakfast and play for you and your little one(s). Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers or any other role model/caregivers are welcome to attend. Word is out that there will be cinnamon buns fresh out the oven this Saturday morning. Please see the news post for further information.
Family Place in French
Conversation and circle-time in French with Aubin are available at scheduled dates during the Family Place program.
Community Health Nurse
Monthly
A Community Nurse from Vancouver Coastal Health visits Family Place once a month to deliver informative talks and encourage discussion on prearranged topics relating to parenting infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The nurse will also be available to talk with you individually should you have any questions or concerns about your child(ren)’s general health, sleep, nutrition, dental care, behaviour and more. Contact us or look out for announcements and dates in the weekly newsletter and on Facebook.
Family Support Councillor
Kim Laforest from North Shore Family Services visits Family Place twice a month offering parents support, education and resources which assist in enriching the relationship between parent and child. Contact us or look out for announcements and dates in the weekly newsletter and on Facebook.
Parent-Child Mother Goose
The Mother Goose Program welcomes families with children 0-2 to join in a group experience focusing on the pleasure and power of rhymes, songs and stories. This program is for parents, grandparents and caregivers to attend with their child. Pre-registration is required. Register online at Bowen Community Recreation or contact Sarah Haxby at 604-947-0389
Enrolment & Fees
Get a Family Membership to stay in touch with us regularly, or simply drop in when you like! Please see below for details on Family and Drop in memberships. Regardless of which membership option you choose, do sign in each time you participate in the programs.
Subsidies are available; please contact the Family Place Coordinator for more information.
Family Membership
$75.00/year
-
includes child(ren), parents & caregivers
Drop in
$3.00/visit
Family Place Parent Guide
Supervision
Children must be supervised by parents/caregivers at all times while attending our programs. If you need to leave the Family Place room, please ensure that another adult is responsible for your child in your absence. The program facilitators are not permitted to care for participant’s children.
Out of respect for the children participating in our programs, these parenting behaviours will not be tolerated: physical punishment, isolation, yelling, shaming, blaming, excessive time outs.
We aim to make Family Place a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for everyone and we thank you for your support in this.
Snacks
Healthy contributions towards a potluck snack are welcome at Family Place. Some suggestions are fruit, vegetables, wholegrain crackers, cheese, muffins and tofu. Please note that Family Place and all Bowen Children’s Centre programs are “nut-free.“
Phones and Photos
Attending Family Place is your special time to connect with your child. To ensure that you spend quality time with your child, please limit cell phone use while attending the program.
Family Place has implemented a no-camera policy to protect the privacy of all participants; therefore, we ask that you please do not take photos of your child or others during the program.
On occasion, parents may be asked for signed consent for photos to be taken for a specific purpose for Family Place.
Health & Safety
Family Place adheres to the Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines for cleaning, toy washing, safety and health. To ensure the health and well-being of all who participate in our programs, please do not attend Family Place if either the participating adult or child has any of the following conditions:
- fever;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting;
- cough;
- severe cold;
- head lice;
- conjunctivitis;
- un-diagnosed rash; or
- any other communicable disease
Once you and your child(ren) are free of symptoms for 24 hours (without medication to suppress symptoms) or and/or if you have doctor’s approval, you and your child(ren) are welcome to participate again in the programs.