Make a Complaint

Last updated on January 31, 2024

Make a complaint about a certified Early Childhood Educator (ECE) or ECE Assistant to the ECE Registry.

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ECE Registry mandate

The ECE Registry has the mandate to investigate complaints (reports) received that a certified ECE or ECE Assistant may not be meeting provincial requirements for certification. A certified ECE or ECE Assistant must demonstrate they are competent in:

  • The areas of child development, guidance, health and safety, and nutrition
  • Developing and implementing an early childhood education curriculum
  • Fostering positive relationships with children in their care, the families of the children, and co-workers

ECE Registry investigations are separate from investigations completed by the Health Authority’s Community Care Facilities Licensing programs or any other agency.

Making a complaint about an ECE or ECE Assistant

Anyone with a concern about the character, skill or conduct of a certified ECE or ECE Assistant can make a complaint to the ECE Registry by phone at 1-888-338-6622 (option 3 for the ECE Registry, then option 2 for the Investigations Team) or by email at ECERegistry.Intake@gov.bc.ca.

If you have reason to believe that a child is in immediate risk, call 911.

When you make a complaint to the ECE Registry, you will be asked to provide the following information:

  • The first and last name of the certified ECE or ECE Assistant the complaint is about
  • The ECE or ECE Assistant’s certificate (registration) number, if known
  • The current employment status of the ECE or ECE Assistant, if known
  • The name and address of the child care facility where the incident occurred
  • A detailed description of your concern, including:
    • Date(s), time(s) and location of the incident(s)
    • Detailed description of the incident(s) you have observed
    • Full names of witnesses, including staff, parents, children
    • Names and ages of children involved
  • Any supporting evidence you might have
  • Your name and contact information so that ECE Registry staff can contact you for more information

Every complaint made within our mandate is thoroughly investigated. Learn about the investigation process at the ECE Registry.

Privacy and confidentiality

The ECE Registry does not reveal the name or personal information of someone who makes a complaint, except as described below. 

If the investigation results in action taken on a certificate and the issue is taken to the Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board or, is handled as a criminal matter, information or documents you supply may be used and may become public information.

Additionally, if your complaint appears to fall under the authority of another agency, the ECE Registry may request your consent to share your information as part of a referral.

For more information about the limits of confidentiality, contact the ECE Registry.

Duty to report

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you have a legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker. Contact 1-800-663-9122 anytime to speak with a government child welfare worker.

If you are concerned about a licensed child care facility or are concerned that a child care provider may be caring for more than two children or a sibling group, not related to them, without a licence, please contact your local Health Authority Community Care Facility Licensing office.