Our Children’s Centre Society (OCCS) would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live, work, play, and learn is within the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, belonging to the Lekwungen (Songhees, Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ communities. We are grateful to reside and thrive on the land.
Our Children’s Centre Society (OCCS) is a non-profit society offering childcare services to families in Victoria, British Columbia. OCCS opened its doors on February 1, 1992 as a fully licensed daycare facility and has provided quality childcare services for over 20 years. OCCS offers childcare to 45 children within our Infant, Toddler and Preschool programs, and employs 11 educators who report to the centre Manager and Assistant Manager.
OCCS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of parents elected by the members of the society. The Board is responsible to its members and to the staff and works closely with the Manager to ensure the success and well being of the Centre.
Our OCCS team consists of 11 educators an Assistant Manager and a Manager. All of our programs are led by a lead educator. We have three educators in our Infant program, four educators in our Toddler program and four educators in our Preschool program. We offer a competitive wage and a comprehensive benefits plan to all of our permanent employees, and we encourage ongoing education by offering two professional development days a year and providing support for training within the childcare field. We also work closely with a Pedagogist through the ECPN (Early Childhood Pedagogist Network).
In addition, we offer paid time off during Christmas (December 25 to January 1) as well as paid vacation and statutory holidays, on site parking and reduced rate for gym membership.
To learn more about working at Our Children’s Centre, please read our most recent Personnel_Policy_2022
Please see below for any current job positions. We are always looking for substitute educators to work in all of our programs. If you are interested in becoming a substitute educator, please contact us.
Currently Available Positions:
ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION HAS LAUNCHED!
Our Children’s Centre Society (OCCS) is a non-profit society and a registered charity in good standing. Established in 1991, the Centre provides community childcare for 45 infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
As fees paid by parents cover basic operating costs only, we use fundraising to cover the costs of programming such as music classes, yoga, field trips, sports programs and arts and craft supplies, all of which provide critical development opportunities for the children. Ever increasing costs and static government grants have placed this programming at risk and as a result, the need for us to undertake additional fundraising efforts has increased.
Between February 25th – March 13th, 2022, OCCS will be holding an online auction, our major annual fundraising event, to help us reach this year’s fundraising goal of $5,000 to allow us to continue to provide the children these important opportunities.
The link:
https://www.32auctions.com/occs22
OUR CHILDREN’S CENTRE COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN
On March 17th, 2020, the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided notice under section 52(2) of the Public Health Act that the transmission of the infectious agent SARS-CoV-2, which has caused cases and outbreaks of a serious communicable disease known as COVID-19 among the population of the Province of British Columbia, constitutes a regional event as defined in section 51 of the Public Health Act. A person infected with SARS-CoV-2 can infect other people with whom the infected person is in direct contact, through droplets in the air, or from fluid containing SARS-CoV-2 left on surfaces. People working in close contact with one another in a workplace can promote transmission of Sars-CoV-2 and increase the number of people who develop COVID-19.
Staff members and families of Our Children’s Centre Society of Greater Victoria are required to know and follow OCCS’ COVID-19 policies and procedures.
PEDAGOGIST
OCCS applied for and was approved to work alongside a Pedagogist through the Early Childhood Pedagogist Network (ECPN). The educators at OCCS take pride in their work and reflect on their practice with the children daily. OCCS strives to provide quality childcare and with that comes hard work, dedication, and professionalism.
Our infants, toddlers and preschoolers enjoy music time with a music teacher twice a month. At OCCS we recognize the valuable contribution music plays in the development of a child. We believe music helps in the development of language, listening skills and self-esteem and encourages creativity, self-confidence and curiosity. ***THE MUSIC PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19.
The music teacher encourages the children to sing and dance and introduces them to developmentally appropriate instruments. The children always look forward to singing!
Every other week our Richardson Sport coach visits the children in all programs to engage them in non-competitive sports instruction and equipment exploration. The children are introduced to a different sport every week and are encouraged to develop specific skills through games and practice. Richardson Sport gives the children the opportunity to have fun while practicing physical literacy.
Every week, a yoga teacher from Wild Roots Dance & Yoga comes into the centre on Monday mornings for a calm and fun yoga session for the children to start the week. The class includes songs, movements, stretching, and stories.
OCCS believes in learning through play and all of our programming centres around this philosophy. We believe play allows children to make sense of their world, and we provide many opportunities throughout the day for children to explore new activities and to let them define the outcome. A group of building blocks may become a tower for one child, and an obstacle course for another. We believe in giving the children the freedom to explore in safe environments, and encouraging them to use their creativity to learn about their surroundings. We also believe in emergent curriculum. The children’s interests are what drives our project work and curriculum. The educators at OCCS look to BC’s Early Learning Framework as a guide, resource, and tool.
Our toddlers and preschoolers enjoy two field trips a year with their educators and volunteer parents. In the fall we visit Galey Farms in Saanich, BC. The children ride the train around the property and then take a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out their very own pumpkin. In the spring, the wheels on the OCCS bus take the children to different locations every year. A favourite spot is the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm to visit the goats, chickens, pigs, peacocks, donkeys, miniature horses, rabbits and guinea pigs.
The highlight to all of our field trips is of course a trip on the big yellow school bus where the children can be heard singing many verses of the “Wheels On The Bus”!
Our annual fundraising events include:
A popular (and delicious!) fundraiser that we hold every November in time for the Christmas season. OCCS receives 25% of all sales of Purdy’s chocolates.
Our biggest fundraising event is our silent auction. Families canvas local businesses for donations, and we hold an online silent auction for two weeks in March. Over 60 businesses contribute with merchandise, restaurant gift certificates, spa packages, hotel stays, coffee cards and birthday packages. Parents and educators have also contributed their time with handyman work, babysitting and baking.
OCCS also receives support from the community through the following initiatives:
Thrifty Foods continues to support our daycare every year through the Smile Card Program. OCCS receives 5% of the total spent on the Smile Cards assigned to the daycare.
We would also like to thank everyone who has contributed to the daycare through the BC Government Provincial Employees Community Service Fund (PECSF). Your generosity and ongoing support is greatly appreciated!
4001 Seymour Place
Victoria BC
V8X 1W4
Phone: (250) 475-6227
Email: manager@ourchildrenscentre.com
Waitlist and Enrollment Inquiries: waitlist@ourchildrenscentre.com
OCCS Manager: Andrea Morris
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
OCCS is closed on all government and statutory holidays, from December 25th to January 1st and for two professional development days a year.
