Kitsilano, Vancouver · since 1973
Helping families raise happy, healthy children since '73
A unique family resource program dedicated to supporting young families and caregivers.
Who we are
A welcoming place for parents, caregivers and children
We provide a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports and strengthens families and builds community. Join us for children's activities, parenting programs, one-on-one support, or just relax for a while knowing that your child is in a safe and friendly place.
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Play & Learn
Encourage healthy child development while having fun through movement, singing, stories and social interaction.
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Parenting Education
Join our practical educational programs aimed at empowering and supporting parents and caregivers.
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1:1 Parenting Support
Take some time for yourself and discuss your parenting or child concerns with our friendly and helpful staff.
This week
What's happening at Family Place
Browse the week's programs and book your family's place.
- Registration is weekly, every Friday at 10 AM, and continues until spaces are full.
- We ask families to limit their visits to two programs per week.
- Registration made through phone, voicemail or email will not be taken.
Programs
Play, learn and grow together
Programs for children from birth to five, parenting education for the grown-ups, and resources the whole family can borrow.
Play & Learn
Programs to support the growth and development of children aged 0–6 years.
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Play and Learn
- Ages
- 0–5 years
- When
- Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–12:00 PM · Mon 1:30–4:00 PM · Tue 1:30–3:00 PM (under 18 months)
- Fee
- $5 per family
Join us for a play session and Circle Time at WSFP.
More about Play and Learn
Held indoors and outdoors, with art and sensory activities, imaginative and big movement play, and Circle Time. Parents and caregivers are provided with in-house support, community resources and support services on request. Our Sensory Room offers a safe, inclusive space for co-regulation and for children to play at their own pace.
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Mama and Papa Goose for Babies
- Ages
- 0–12 months
- When
- Wednesday afternoons, 1:30–2:30 PM
- Fee
- Included with drop-in
Connect with other parents and babies to sing, laugh and learn rhymes in a safe and cozy space.
More about Mama and Papa Goose for Babies
Songs, rhymes, movement and dance in a safe and cozy space, with in-house support and community resources available on request.
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Little Chefs
- Ages
- 18 months–5 years
- When
- Set of 4 Thursdays, 2:00–3:30 PM
- Fee
- $80 per family
Together, parents and caregivers and their children prepare and enjoy a healthy, delicious dish.
More about Little Chefs
Families come together to create and enjoy a healthy meal, focusing on connecting with the ingredients, the cooking process and each other. Registration opens three weeks before the program date.
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Neurodiverse-City
- Ages
- All ages · no diagnosis required
- When
- Twice monthly on Sundays, 2:00–4:00 PM
- Fee
- Free
Connect, share experiences and resources on childhood neurodiversity, and enjoy play activities.
More about Neurodiverse-City
A welcoming community space where families connect and support one another in navigating childhood neurodiversity. Parents join a guest speaker or facilitated discussion while children take part in Connect Kids Club — free play plus structured group activities led by our support team. No diagnosis is required to join, and the space is wheelchair accessible.
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Papa's Playgroup
- Ages
- Dads with kids up to age 8
- When
- Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM
- Fee
- Free
Connect, play, learn and discover with other dads and their children in our play space.
More about Papa's Playgroup
A relaxed and supportive space to chat, connect and share experiences. Indoor and outdoor play depending on weather, light snacks provided, WSFP staff on hand for additional support. Registration recommended but not required.
Parenting Education
Taking part in our popular programs can help you grow as a parent.
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Nobody's Perfect
- Ages
- Parents of children birth to 5
- When
- 6 sessions, twice a year · Fridays 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Fee
- Free · childminding available
Through discussion, mutual support, encouragement and acceptance, parents experience transformative growth and increased parenting confidence.
More about Nobody's Perfect
Meet other parents with children birth to age 5 with whom you share interests and concerns. Participants design their own agenda, and through staff-facilitated discussion and mutual support build confidence as parents. Email eva@westsidefamilyplace.com or call 604.738.2819 to register.
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Circle of Security
- Ages
- Parents and caregivers
- When
- 7 sessions · Fridays 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Fee
- $70
At times, all parents feel lost or simply unsure about what our child might need from us. This class can provide help and clarity.
More about Circle of Security
Understand your child's emotional world, learn to read their emotional needs, support them to manage emotions successfully, enhance their self-esteem, and honour your own wisdom and desire for change. Email eva@westsidefamilyplace.com or call 604.738.2819 to register.
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Making Sense of Preschoolers
- Ages
- Parents and caregivers
- When
- Workshop series
- Fee
- See program page
Dr. Neufeld leads us into the interior landscape of the preschooler, drawing on his years as a developmental psychologist.
More about Making Sense of Preschoolers
Learn more about Dr. Neufeld's world-renowned attachment-based developmental approach to childhood behaviour.
Other Resources
We're here to help families. Let us know if you need anything.
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Toy Lending Library
- Ages
- Members only
- When
- During office hours
- Fee
- Included with membership
Choose one or two toys from our curated selection.
More about Toy Lending Library
Staff select safe, enjoyable toys based on children’s developmental stages and emerging abilities. Borrow one to two toys at a time for up to two weeks, returned with all parts and pieces, washed and sanitised. Please hold off borrowing if anyone at home has cold or flu symptoms.
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Birthday Parties
- Ages
- Children 0–6 years
- When
- Saturdays & Sundays · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM or 2:30–6:30 PM
- Fee
- $260 members · $310 non-members · $100 damage deposit
Our fun, safe and well-equipped house is the perfect place for a child's party.
More about Birthday Parties
You have access to the entire facility: kitchen, dining room, living room, indoor playroom with toys, dress-up area, play kitchen, and the enclosed outdoor playground with toys and sandpit. Renters provide their own party supplies and are responsible for clean-up; staff are not on site during rentals. Two weeks’ notice is required for a refund or re-booking. Call 604.738.2819 or email info@westsidefamilyplace.com to book.
Questions about a program? Get in touch or register online.
Our story
Since 1973, we are that village
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. On Vancouver's west side, we are that village. Since 1973, West Side Family Place has provided a welcoming place for parents, caregivers and children in the community to meet, learn, and grow together.
West Side Family Place was founded in 1973 by two local mothers, Ellen LeFevre and Mary Lynn Burke, with the goal of building community connection and support for the well-being of local families. WSFP became the first recognised Family Resource Program in Canada, and has since served as a model for hundreds of similar programs across the country.
Today we are known as a welcoming refuge for all families in the community: parents and caregivers come together to share the experiences of parenthood while their children learn through play.
- 1973 the year WSFP was founded
- 32 families a day came to our Drop-In in 2019
- 150+ hours of parent education & family programming
Membership
Join this thriving local community
Membership fees are a much-needed part of our annual revenue and help fund our essential community programs.
- Access to our Toy Lending Library
- Access to popular programs and workshops
- Member newsletter with upcoming events and programs
- Stand for our Board of Directors
- Have your say and vote at our Annual General Meeting
$65 per year
Membership runs for one year from the date of payment.
In addition to the membership fee, families pay a drop-in fee of $5 per family household per visit, which further helps fund West Side Family Place.
Become a memberTogether we thrive
Ways to support young families
Funding from the provincial and municipal government covers slightly more than half the cost of our Play and Learn Family Drop-in and parent education programs. Every dollar raised makes a difference.
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Donate
Raising children without a community is hard. Your donation provides much-needed financial support so we can keep offering essential family resources.
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Volunteer
Our volunteers enhance our service to young families. Roles include playroom and family dinner volunteers, event volunteers, committee members and board members.
Volunteer with us -
Fundraise
We generate the majority of our revenue through community-wide fundraising. Attend, sponsor, donate to or buy an auction item at our annual gala.
See fundraisers -
Sponsor
Grants and sponsorships let us run tailored programs, improve our facilities and provide outreach. We welcome your ideas for sponsorship.
Talk to us
Shop
WSFP merchandise
Our team
The people behind Family Place
Staff
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Diane Elliott-Buckley
Executive Director
Read Diane Elliott-Buckley's bio
Diane has over 20 years’ leadership experience and has been involved in Family Places for nearly 15 years, as a parent, a volunteer, a board member and now Executive Director. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria. Alongside the day-to-day operations of West Side Family Place, Diane works with other community service providers to maintain a strong network of support for young families. She is the proud parent of two teenagers, and strongly believes that the love and support of a nurturing community allows families to thrive.
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Eva Svensson
Family Support Coordinator
Read Eva Svensson's bio
Eva grew up in Sweden and moved to Canada after completing a degree in education, settling in Vancouver, training in Montessori and working in a preschool for eight years. With her partner she raised three daughters, welcoming twin newborns when her eldest was just 26 months old. Having experienced first-hand how isolating it can be to raise children as an immigrant without a natural ‘attachment village’, Eva focused her professional work on supporting families with young children. After completing a diploma in counselling she joined WSFP in 2005. She facilitates the drop-in program and is certified to facilitate Nobody’s Perfect, Circle of Security and the Neufeld workshops.
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Sue Ellen Elman
Playroom Coordinator
sueellen@westsidefamilyplace.com
Read Sue Ellen Elman's bio
Sue Ellen has been with WSFP since 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Capilano University as well as Infant-Toddler Care and Special Needs citations from Douglas College, and has worked in early childhood education since 2006. She co-facilitates the Indoor/Outdoor Play, Mama and Papa Goose, Monthly Field Trips and Little Chefs programs, and is trained as a Circle of Security facilitator and a Kids Yoga Teacher. Sue Ellen loves nature and the outdoors and always tries to infuse that into her programming.
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Maria Cheung
Playroom Coordinator & Toy Lending Librarian
Read Maria Cheung's bio
Maria started working with young children at a daycare in 2007, which inspired her to become an ECE. She joined WSFP in 2008 after completing a psychology degree at UBC and the Early Childhood Care and Education certificate at Vancouver Community College. In 2013 she began working with children on the spectrum, leading her to a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (Autism). She co-facilitates Indoor/Outdoor Play and Mama and Papa Goose as well as the Toy Lending Library.
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Salena Wong
Playroom Coordinator
salena@westsidefamilyplace.com
Read Salena Wong's bio
Salena was born and raised in Victoria, studied Psychology at the University of Victoria and moved to Vancouver, first joining Family Place as a Playroom Volunteer in 2013. She enjoys baking and cooking, and makes themed birthday cakes for her nieces and nephews. Salena can usually be found in the office but also facilitates Indoor/Outdoor Play, Mama and Papa Goose, and Little Chefs.
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Melinda Callaway
Office Administrator
melinda@westsidefamilyplace.com
Read Melinda Callaway's bio
Melinda has two decades of experience in academic and public libraries, including circulation desk management and work as a Reference Librarian, and holds an MLIS from the University of Texas at Austin. Since relocating to Canada she has worked with Emily Carr University of Art and Design, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation community school, the First Nations Health Authority and WISH Drop-In Centre Society. Melinda joined West Side Family Place in July 2024 and encourages you to stop by the back office to say hello.
Board of Directors
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Paro Ray
Board Chair
Read Paro Ray's bio
Paro first started coming to WSFP during the pandemic, and found a family in Family Place away from her own family back in India, learning to navigate — and relax into — her new role as a mother. When her son started preschool she wanted to stay connected to the community that had helped her, and joined the Board. Paro enjoys squash, horse riding and dancing. Her background is in engineering, and she has worn many professional hats from business analyst to project engineer.
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Angela Lam
Treasurer
Read Angela Lam's bio
Angela is an engaged member of the Kitsilano community and supports connections with local organizations. Her professional experience is in financial services, with a background in management, project planning, change management and risk management. Angela has two children actively involved in ice hockey and dance, and enjoys music, travelling and exploring new culinary trends.
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Elizabeth Vander Hoeven
Director
Read Elizabeth Vander Hoeven's bio
Growing up on the west coast led Elizabeth to the hospitality and tourism industry. In her current Human Resources role she builds a welcoming, engaging and supportive culture in her workplace. “As a new parent in a new city WSFP offered connection and stability in a safe and cozy space.” Elizabeth loves a good cup of coffee, podcasts, and exploring the city’s parks and beaches with her family.
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Caileen Romanov
Director
Read Caileen Romanov's bio
Caileen first attended West Side Family Place’s Mama and Papa Goose when her son was an infant, and quickly came to appreciate its welcoming community. Without nearby relatives, she values strong community ties and is passionate about supporting others in building them. With a background in administration and human resources, Caileen is thrilled to give back to a place that has meant so much to her.
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Hannah DeJong
Director
Read Hannah DeJong's bio
Hannah joined the West Side Family Place board in 2023 to give back to the community that supported her so much during her maternity leave. She has practised as a civil litigation lawyer since 2017 and became a parent in 2023. Hannah enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking and cycling.
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Ellen Allard
Director
Read Ellen Allard's bio
Ellen has lived in Vancouver since 2012 and in Kitsilano since 2018. As an engineer and project manager she brings that professional experience to the Board. WSFP has been an amazing place to meet other parents in the neighbourhood and for her daughter to socialise. In her free time she enjoys snowboarding in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer.
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Joe Shrestha
Director
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Kevin Kao
Director
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What are your hours of operation?
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Please refer to our program schedule for program hours. We are closed the last Friday of each month.
In addition to family drop-in, we offer parent and caregiver courses and workshops. Subscribe to our email list to receive regular updates on program dates and times.
How do I register for programs?
Registration opens Monday at 9 AM and continues until spaces are full.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates about program availability.
Is West Side Family Place open to anybody?
Yes. We are open to all families with children between birth and five years old. We are a resource centre dedicated to supporting families with young children — come along to make new friends, gain a sense of community, and receive ongoing assistance to help you raise happy, healthy children.
What ages are the children who come to your drop-in?
WSFP welcomes all families with children between birth and five years. As children grow older they begin attending daycares, so the average age is around six months to three years.
Latest
News and opportunities
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Opportunity
Family Program Assistant
Temporary full-time position (30 hrs/week), May 25 to August 28, 2026, at $18.50/hour. WSFP is looking for an energetic, caring and community-minded person to join our team.
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News
Kids in the Park
In partnership with Kits House, our summer parks program runs from Tuesday, July 8 to Wednesday, August 27 — an outdoor family program for the whole neighbourhood.
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Opportunity
Play and Learn Program Volunteer
We are looking for an outgoing, caring and compassionate individual to assist with our Play and Learn program for families with children ages zero to six. Three hours a week for a minimum of three months.
With thanks
Our funders and friends
Our funders
- City of Vancouver
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
- BC Gaming
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Employment and Social Development Canada
Our friends
- David Richardson
- Vancouver Academy of Music
- Intact Insurance
- Vancity Kitsilano Branch
- Kits on Broadway Business Improvement Association
- Vancouver Public Library – Kitsilano Branch
- Kitsilano Neighbourhood House
- Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre
- Spencer Creo Foundation
Get in touch
Come and visit us
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Office hours
Monday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
We are closed the last Friday of each month.
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Phone