Family resources

Welcome to the family resources hub for support staff, academics and faculty members of the University of Manitoba community, covering various family care topics. Find the latest information and discover resources that can help you navigate through the different stages of family life.

About us

The University of Manitoba understands that family and work can sometimes be a balancing act. This site is a comprehensive resource for all family care matters with information and referrals to services both on and off campus.

The Family Resource Coordinator is available to assist all staff, academics and faculty members of the university. On this page you will find information about:

Visit the Family Resources Intranet site to learn about specific programs offered at UM Fort Garry campus.

Visit the Family Resource Intranet site 

 

The University of Manitoba believes that "family" is a diverse and inclusive network of loving relationships that transcends traditional definitions.  Family may or may not be related, share the same household, or be legally recognized.

New to Canada

There are numerous resources available to you that can help ease the transition for you and your family.

Relocation and settlement

The University of Manitoba is a member of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO), which has negotiated a moving agreement with moving companies. Learn more about recruitment relocation allowances under Travel and business expenses on the UM Intranet for more details.

The UM Family Resource Coordinator works in partnership with the Human Resources Client Services - Immigration Services to provide a comprehensive and personalized support for new hire academics and faculty members with relocation and settlement.

Moving checklists

Rental housing

This map highlights all of the Winnipeg Neighbourhoods (PDF) to determine which ones are closest to the university campus.

Tenant or renter's insurance

Tenant or renter’s insurance is typically not included in rental fees. Purchasing insurance allows for a peace of mind that you are protected from housing-related emergencies such as break-ins, fire or flood.   

Sample list of companies that offer tenant/renter’s insurance near the University of Manitoba  

Emergency preparedness   

To report emergencies and non-emergencies, here are some resources from the City of Winnipeg Police Service:   

Transportation

Landing at the airport

The University of Manitoba does not provide pick-up services from the airport. Taxi service from the airport is provided by Unicity Taxi, which is available near Exit 3 at the terminal building. For more information about transportation at the Airport, visit the airport website.

Navigating around Winnipeg

There are four main ways of navigating your way around Winnipeg: city bus, taxi service, cycling and driving.  

City bus

Winnipeg Transit is the bus system in Winnipeg. 

To learn how to take the bus in Winnipeg, visit Transit Travel Tips.

To watch a video on how to take a Winnipeg transit bus, visit the International students web page.

Visit Busing to campus for more information.

Navigate through the city and plan your journey with the Navigo (Winnipeg Transit).

This Winnipeg Transit site includes a map of locations where transit products can be purchased in person.

To load your "peggo" card (transit bus pass) online, go to peggo Home (winnipegtransit.com).

Taxi and ride-sharing services

There are a number of taxi companies in Winnipeg that need to be requested in advance, either by phone or through an app. You can request an estimate before you use a taxi, but the cost of the ride is determined by a meter that runs in the vehicle throughout your drive.

For more information, visit Passengers — Vehicles for Hire (City of Winnipeg ).

For a sample list of taxi companies in Winnipeg, visit The Best 10 Taxis in Winnipeg (Yelp)

For a sample list of ride-sharing service companies in Winnipeg, visit RideGuru.

Driving

For information driving insurance, vehicle registration, and licensing services go to Manitoba Public Insurance (mpi.mb.ca).

Manitoba has a reciprocal license exchange agreement with various countries. To see the list of countries, visit New to Manitoba (mpi.mb.ca).
 

Active transportation

Active transportation means using human power to get around – cycling, walking, in-line skating, even cross-country skiing are some examples of how people can get from point A to point B. 

Learn more from the City of Winnipeg Active Transportation site.

Parenting

Find information and resources on childcare and schooling in Manitoba.

Licensed childcare programs 

Licensed programs are regulated by the province. Most run full-time while some operate part-time or offer extended hours or evenings/weekend care. Each child care centre is overseen by a Board of Directors (mainly parents) and child care homes are run by the child care provider living out of that home. Both childcare centres and childcare homes have multi-year long waitlists. 

Learn more at the Province of Manitoba Child care site.

Childcare centres: 

  • infant programs (3 months to 2 years) 
  • full-time preschool programs (2 to 6 years) 
  • part-time programs (3 months to 6 years) 
  • nursery schools (3 to 6 years) 
  • school-age programs (5 to 12 years) 

Part-time programs and nursery schools typically run for 2 to 3 hours per day from 2 to 5 days a week. 

Childcare homes: 

  • family childcare homes (mixed age group; up to 8 children) 
  • group childcare homes (mixed age group; up to 12 children) 

Supervision

There are 2 main classifications for staff who work in licensed programs. Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Child Care Assistants (CCAs). Learn more from the Government of Manitoba licensing manual (PDF).

Staff to child ratios

Child care centres
Infants 1 staff: 4 children
Preschool 1 staff: 8 children
Kindergarten 1 staff: 10 children
School-age 1 staff: 15 children
Child care homes
Family child care (no more than 5 can be under 6 years; no more than 3 under the age of 2 years) 1 provider: 8 children
Group child care (no more than 3 under the age of 2 years) 2 providers: 12 children

Fees per day

Child care fees in Manitoba are regulated by the province. New childcare fees coming into effect on April 2, 2023.

Please visit the Province of Manitoba's website for more information.

Manitoba online childcare search tool

Please note that most childcare centres have multi-year long waitlists. Although this childcare search tool displays how many vacancies each program has, it is important to realize that it may not indicate real time numbers and availability.

Alternative programs

Spaces in licensed childcare programs are limited and there may be long wait times to secure a space for your child. Some alternatives to consider in the meantime can be:  

  • Family members or friends 
  • Babysitting services 
  • Nanny services 
  • Montessori schools (preschool) 
  • Nursery schools (preschool) 
  • Private childcare programs (fees may vary) 
  • School-run before and after school programs (school-age) 
  • Community youth programs (school-age) 

For information on youth camps, please visit University of Manitoba Mini U Programs

Choosing the right program for you

It is encouraged that families visit a childcare program first before deciding to register your child. Each family is unique and have a different set of needs or values, so it is ideal to find a program that is best suited for you. Most centres will schedule an intake meeting with the family to tour the space, meet the staff, answer any questions, and come up with an individualized plan for your child.

Children with additional support needs 

Government publications

For more information, please visit:

Register your child for school

Finding a school for your child is one of the first steps in getting settled into your new life in Canada. Schools from kindergarten to grade 12 are governed by the province of Manitoba. Winnipeg and its surrounding areas are broken down into several school divisions and districts: Central, Northern /Remote, Parkland / Westman, Southeast/Interlake, and Winnipeg.

The Manitoba kindergarten to grade 12 education system

Find a school near you

Manitoba school divisions and districts

Student transportation

Children staying home alone

Children with additional support needs

Homeschooling in Manitoba

Government of Manitoba publications

Connect with the community

Settling into your new life sometimes comes with a lot of changes. Your spouse/partner and children are going through those life changes too. Having a sense of belonging in a community can help to increase our overall health and wellbeing. 

Here are some ideas on how to start forging connections along with some information about the province of Manitoba:

Health and wellness

Recreation and tourism 

Manitoba culture

Manitoba Indigenous community

Diverse communities support

Continuing education

Volunteer opportunities

Spouse or common-law partner employment opportunities

Household financial management

For information on employee pay and benefits, please log in to the UM Intranet and go to Employee Resources.

Family health

UM provides a comprehensive group insurance program to assist you in meeting your mental health, dental, disability and survivorship needs. Learn more on the UM Intranet under Employee resources.

COVID-19 resources for families

For additional resources, find Wellness during COVID-19 under Employee wellness on the UM Intranet.

Older adults and caregiving

Most of the following resources were provided by the University of Manitoba’s Centre on Aging research centre. They have developed a well-recognized reputation for research excellence on the topic of aging.

According to the Government of Canada website, the definition of caregiver is “a family member or someone who is considered to be like family providing care or support to the person who is critically ill or injured or needing-end-of-life care.” 

Another definition from Aging.com, a caregiver  is “anyone who provides care for a person who needs extra help. This could mean a family caregiver, a respite caregiver, a home caregiver, or a primary caregiver…”   

General resources

Transportation

Caregiver resources 

Special care 

 

Resources for caregivers (carers)

According to the Government of Canada website, the definition of caregiver is "a family member or someone who is considered to be like family providing care or support to the person who is critically ill or injured or needing-end-of-life care."

Dementia or stroke resources

Virtual hospice care information

Stay in touch with our e-newsletter

Stay connected by providing us with your contact information and get the latest news, events, and more on family care topics.

Contact us

Family Resources 
Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs) 
319-66 Chancellors Circle 
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB  R3T 2N2 
Canada

familyresource@umanitoba.ca
204-474-7676