Taking Child to the Citizenship Test

[ASPCAN]

Hello Everyone,

I just learnt about this forum, and I am hoping I would get an answer from all the wonderful experienced people here. My spouse and I got our letters to appear for the test in a couple of weeks. Both of us got the same date and time for the test. We have a 2-year old, and we have nowhere to leave her when we go for the test. She doesn't go to daycare, and we don't have anybody with whom we can comfortably leave her for a few hours. So, my question to the forum here is: Can we take our child with us to the test? She is a quiet child and we can be pretty sure that she will be well-behaved for at least 20 minutes when we would be actually giving the test. People here who have attended the test recently, have you seen others bringing a child/children? Is there any policy that children are not allowed?

My spouse and I are ready to take turns (if that is allowed) to go to the exam room to complete our tests.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot.

 

[Msafiri]

You better find a Plan B real fast - you can't take kids to the test no matter how well behaved you think they are/ may be. CIC testing officer on the day has the right to send you packing and you will need to re-schedule the test which needs a valid reason...not arranging child care is not on the list. Sorry that's just how it is!

As a side note its not just 20 minutes for the test - there is an interview too which can be 10, 20, 30 etc minutes. These can be consecutive or one after the other in regards to your and your spouse....CIC have a hard time scheduling this let alone giving you time off to go look after your child. You also don't have a do the test then leave the room then someone else takes your place option - everyone in the time slot does the test at the same time and you sit tight until the session is done.

Expect to be at the test venue for 2+ hours!!

 

[nguyentu2001]

Hello Everyone,

I just learnt about this forum, and I am hoping I would get an answer from all the wonderful experienced people here. My spouse and I got our letters to appear for the test in a couple of weeks. Both of us got the same date and time for the test. We have a 2-year old, and we have nowhere to leave her when we go for the test. She doesn't go to daycare, and we don't have anybody with whom we can comfortably leave her for a few hours. So, my question to the forum here is: Can we take our child with us to the test? She is a quiet child and we can be pretty sure that she will be well-behaved for at least 20 minutes when we would be actually giving the test. People here who have attended the test recently, have you seen others bringing a child/children? Is there any policy that children are not allowed?

My spouse and I are ready to take turns (if that is allowed) to go to the exam room to complete our tests.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot.

you need someone to take care of your kid.

 

[shaikat]

in fact I saw this in my exam today.....couple showed up with kids....they gave two options to them.....they will cancel the test and re-schedule and don't bring kids next time....or one of u can write the test and other have to wait for a re-schedule test.....they took the option 2.

 

[ASPCAN]

Thanks for your responses so far!

Anyone else, if you have something to say, please do pitch in.

Thanks.

 

[peter_h]

Here's your answer already, not to mention the invitation to the test letter clearly states "Children are not allowed in the testing room". Like that, in bold and underlined.

in fact I saw this in my exam today.....couple showed up with kids....they gave two options to them.....they will cancel the test and re-schedule and don't bring kids next time....or one of u can write the test and other have to wait for a re-schedule test.....they took the option 2.

 

[ASPCAN]

Thanks for your answer. Strangely, my letter of invitation for the test does not say that!

So, if children are not allowed only into the exam room, then I am wondering, would it work out if we take somebody (an adult) to take care of our child while we give the test in the exam room? Some of our friends told us that the caretaker or a friend can stay with your child in the waiting area while we go and do our document checks and the test. Do people who have experienced the test think this would work out?

Thanks again, for all your responses!

 

[peter_h]

That line in my letter actually comes in a diff. color paper page (pink), "Important Notice - Please Read".
I guess it would work bringing someone else to look after your kids in the waiting area, as the other member described one parent staying there looking after the kids while the other did the test.
I have 2 young children myself and I know how hard it is to juggle things especially if you have no family here to help you.
Best of luck,
Peter.

 

[ASPCAN]

Thanks, Peter for that advice.

Yes, it is indeed difficult to juggle things with kids specially in such situations. The thing is, with us, we take turns working from home at times (mostly computer work) to take care of our child, and so have never sent her anywhere. So, we don't have an arrangement where we can comfortably leave her for our test. The only potential place where we would have had some respite care available is closed on the test day. Hence, the problem.

So, it's good to know that we can take a friend who can be with the child in the waiting area while we give the test. That will be great. Saves a lot of trouble finding a place to leave her.

So, I am assuming there are no security procedures to pass through, unlike a typical visa office or an embassy? Are there restrictions like we cannot bring in bottles, food, electronics, handbags, etc.? When I went for a US Visa, there were all these restrictions. That is why I am asking.

Thanks again, for all responses.

Good day.

 

[shaikat]

I have never received instructions what to bring or what not.....but on the door it mentioned no food/drinks but cell phone must be turned off and other electronic devices.....why don't u call the local office directly and ask for instructions?

 

[peter_h]

ASPCAN, Good morning!

I'm looking again at my "pink" Important Notice - Please Read page and to begin with now that there's daylight, the page is orange, not pink.
It also reads like this:

PLEASE NOTE - We recommend that children not accompany you to our office. Children are not allowed in the testing room. If children must accompany you they will be required to remain in the waiting room under adult supervision which you are required to provide.

So, you're definitely safe bringing your friend to look after your child.
And it doesn't mention anything about bottles, food, electronics, handbags, etc.

 

[nguyentu2001]

Thanks, Peter for that advice.

Yes, it is indeed difficult to juggle things with kids specially in such situations. The thing is, with us, we take turns working from home at times (mostly computer work) to take care of our child, and so have never sent her anywhere. So, we don't have an arrangement where we can comfortably leave her for our test. The only potential place where we would have had some respite care available is closed on the test day. Hence, the problem.

So, it's good to know that we can take a friend who can be with the child in the waiting area while we give the test. That will be great. Saves a lot of trouble finding a place to leave her.

So, I am assuming there are no security procedures to pass through, unlike a typical visa office or an embassy? Are there restrictions like we cannot bring in bottles, food, electronics, handbags, etc.? When I went for a US Visa, there were all these restrictions. That is why I am asking.

Thanks again, for all responses.

Good day.

Your friend and your kid can just wait in the hall way. It wont take long but you need your friend to be there.

 

[ASPCAN]

Thank you, once again, for all your informative replies!

We decided to go to our local office (Ottawa) and ask about our options when we have a child with us. First, there were no open counters to talk to, and all the rooms were locked, but we could see people inside apparently going through the test procedure. Waited for a couple of minutes when a staff member incidentally came out. We explained our situation to her, and she went inside the room briefly to clarify. She came out and said that we can actually bring our child (she said she has seen other families do this), and my spouse and I can take turns with the test. Each of us will get 30 minutes to finish the test. From what she said, it looks like there would be no need even to take a babysitter with us.

Now we are tempted to take our chances, but we will try and take a friend to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Has anybody recently taken the test in Ottawa, and seen members of a family take turns to give the test with kids?

If so, please reply with your experiences.

Thanks!

 

[ASPCAN]

Anyone has a story to share from the Ottawa location about their experiences with taking children for the test?

 

[Mike15]

Anyone has a story to share from the Ottawa location about their experiences with taking children for the test?

I didn't see any children there on Jan 8 when I wrote the test, but there's a sizable waiting area with chairs. In other words, if you have a friend or relative who can sit with the child for 30-60 minutes, it's not a hindrance to bring them along. I saw spouses and older relatives of test writers waiting there while the rest of us had gone into the room.