Child Care Options
Child Care Centres and Home Child Care Agencies are licensed under the Day Nurseries Act. The Act sets standards for safety, fire, health, nutrition, behaviour management, numbers of children, staff: child ratios and age-appropriate programming. Formal licensed child care options available to families are offered by:
- licensed home-based child care agencies
- licensed full-day child care centre-based operators
- liscenced nursery school programs
- Liscenced school-age programs
and informal, unlicensed child care options available to families are offered by:
- unlicensed home-based child care providers
- school-age programs
- nanny care
Home Child Care Agencies recruit, screen, approve and supervise individuals who provide child care in their own homes for children from infancy to 12-years-old. It is the agency that is licensed and responsible for ensuring that each home meets the standards of the Day Nurseries Act.
The number and ages of children in care are regulated. The agency may provide a toy and equipment lending service to providers. Hours of care are usually flexible, depending on a parent's work or school schedule. Agency staff act as support persons to both the providers and the parents. Homes are visited regularly and are subject to spot checks.
Parents may be required to pay for care when their child is absent due to illness or vacation periods. Financial assistance may be available to families who qualify. Receipts are given for income tax purposes.
Child Care Centres provide full-day child care, usually for 12 months of the year. Some centres also offer part-time care, nursery school programs, temporary care services, as well as school-age or day camp programs. These centres must be licensed, whether they are operated by a private corporation or a non-profit, incorporated board of directors.
Parents seeking care for infants and toddlers in a child care centre should be prepared to pay more than what they pay for a pre-school child because more staff are required to care for young children. Child Care Centres do not accept ill children and may request payment for the service even if the child is ill or on vacation, as the child's place is reserved in the centre. Payment policies vary from centre to centre. Financial assistance may be available for families who qualify. Receipts are given for income tax purposes.
Nursery Schools are licensed, part-day programs for more than five children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5- years-old. They usually only run during the school year. In many "co-operative" nursery schools, parents are expected to be involved in the program on a rotating basis. Parents who choose not to participate in the program may be required to pay a higher fee. Receipts are given for income tax purposes.
School-age programs are licensed to provide before and/or after school care for more than five children. Some programs also offer lunch supervision and care on professional development days and school holidays. Financial assistance may be available for families who qualify for Regional subsidy and receipts are given for income tax purposes.
Informal, unlicensed child care may be provided by a relative, friend, or individual. Legally, unlicensed caregivers are permitted to care for a maximum of five children in addition to their own. Informal child care is usually flexible with hours and days of care, and may provide care for ill children. Parents should inspect the home and conduct interviews carefully.
Many Resource Centres offer workshops and newsletters for parents and caregivers to support them in their role of caring for children. Informal providers may or may not provide income tax receipts. Policies such as payment of fees for illness or vacation days may vary from provider to provider.
Municipal Parks & Recreation Departments and School Boards may offer school-age programs, which do not require a licence.
A family may choose to have a nanny come into their home to care for their children. Nannies may work on a live-in or daily basis. Some nannies are professionally trained and provide only child care. Some are primarily housekeepers who will babysit, and others do light housework but consider child care as their main responsibility. Some parents prefer nannies because children are cared for in their own home and their routine is not disrupted. This option may be more expensive.
For more information regarding child care options and written resources to help you choose child care, call The Child Care Support Line at 1-888-703-KIDS (5437).
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