OUR TUITION POLICY

TUITION, FEES & WITHDRAWAL

Child Care Funding Programs

Highlands Early Learning Centre participates in the $10-a-Day ChildCareBC program for our 3- and 4-year-old classes, which significantly reduces monthly tuition for families.

Some families may also qualify for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, a separate provincial subsidy program that may provide additional financial support depending on family income and eligibility.

Eligibility and funding for these programs are determined by the Government of British Columbia.

1. Class Security Deposit

To confirm your child’s enrollment at Highlands Early Learning Centre, a Class Security Deposit is required once a space has been offered and accepted.

2-Year-Old Classes: Deposit equal to one month’s tuition
3- and 4-Year-Old Classes: $200 deposit

Deposits are processed through Kindertales via pre-authorized debit.

For children continuing from the 3-year-old program to the 4-year-old program the following school year, the deposit will be retained and applied toward the upcoming school year. A new deposit will not be required.

2. Society Membership Fee

Highlands Early Learning Centre operates as a registered non-profit society.

Each family is required to pay an annual Society Membership Fee of $150 per family, regardless of the number of children enrolled.

This fee:

Supports governance and administrative operations of the society
Is non-refundable and non-prorated
Is separate from tuition and the class security deposit

Membership is required in order to vote at the Annual General Meeting or serve on the Board of Directors.

3. Tuition Payments

Highlands Early Learning Centre uses Kindertales for tuition billing and payment processing.

Tuition is automatically withdrawn on the 1st of each month via pre-authorized debit.
Parents must maintain an active Kindertales account and keep payment information up to date.
A $10 NSF fee will be charged for payments returned due to insufficient funds.

4. Withdrawal Policy

2-Year-Old Classes

The security deposit is non-refundable in all cases of withdrawal.

If your child completes the preschool year, the deposit will be applied toward June tuition.

3- and 4-Year-Old Classes

Highlands Early Learning Centre participates in the $10-a-Day ChildCareBC program, subject to ongoing provincial agreements.

While participating in the program:

Deposits may be refunded upon withdrawal after any outstanding fees have been deducted.
If your child completes the preschool year and will not be returning, the deposit will be refunded after June tuition is processed.

5. Notice of Withdrawal

For withdrawals on or after August 1, one full calendar month’s written notice is required.

Notice must be submitted by the 1st day of the preceding month.
Tuition is payable during the notice period.

6. Late Pick-Up

Children must be picked up promptly at the end of class.

Late pick-ups may result in a fee of $1 per minute, per child, beginning at dismissal time.

Repeated late pick-ups may result in a meeting with the Executive Director.

7. Missed Payments

A $10 administrative fee will be applied to missed payments.
If two payments are missed, tuition may be required in cash or the preschool may require withdrawal from the program.

8. Tax Receipts

Child care expense tax receipts are automatically generated through Kindertales and reflect tuition payments made during the calendar year.

9. Affordable Child Care Benefit (Subsidy)

Families enrolled at Highlands Early Learning Centre may be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, offered by the Government of British Columbia.

This program provides a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Eligibility and funding amounts are determined by the provincial government based on factors such as income, family size, and type of care. The HELC preschool does not determine eligibility or subsidy amounts.

For more information or to apply, please visit:
https://gov.bc.ca/affordablechildcarebenefit