A pre school ritual

For many parents, a new school year also means finding appropriate care for preschool children. There are many options and it#s the responsibility of parents to choose one that meets their needs and ensures the safety of their child.

Childcare options range from informal, such as private babysitting to more formal, regulated care, such as daycares or family day homes. Parents are responsible for screening and monitoring private caregivers, while Alberta Children#s Services sets standards for daycares and day homes. Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services monitors and inspects daycare centres to ensure that they meet all standards. Inspections are completed on a routine basis and more often when there are concerns. Daycare operators are required to make recent inspection reports available to parents on request. The Authority also contracts with day home agencies, which recruit and then monitor and inspect family day homes as the Authority would a daycare center.

Why have set standards? Standards are set to ensure that children are supervised by qualified staff and have developmentally appropriate programs that support their growth. Licensed centres and approved family day homes are monitored in which the child#s developmental, nutritional, health and safety needs are met.

When parents make private arrangements it is their responsibility to ask questions about the qualifications of the caregiver, how their child will be cared for and make appropriate inspections. Parents should be allowed to complete a safety check of the home; this includes viewing all rooms in the prospective home and the outdoor play area. They are encouraged to request both a criminal record check and an Intervention Check for all individuals over the age of 18 years residing in the home where they are placing their children.

Parents can also find out from the Authority if they qualify for a childcare subsidy either by contacting the local office or by applying on line through the Children's Services website. Subsidies can only be provided, based on family income, for approved reasonsfor childcare. For more information on childcare and how to make the right choice, contact Childcare Program office of Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services Authority in Medicine Hat by calling (403) 529-3172.

What is a Daycare Centre?

A daycare centre provides developmentally appropriate care for groups of children 0-6 years of age and offers year-round, full-time or part-time daycare. Every daycare centre in Alberta must be licensed or approved by Alberta Children#s Services. The license must be posted in the centre and it means the centre meets minimum standards set by the provincial government. Parents whose children are enrolled in a licensed daycare are eligible to apply for subsidy.   

Regulations require all staff provide a criminal record check and an Intervention Check prior to starting employment.

What is a Family Day Home?

A family day home is a private residence that has been screened and approved by an Agency contracted by Alberta Children#s Services. The provincial government sets standards of care to be maintained in all approved family day homes. These standards restrict the number of children in care to no more than six children under the age of 11 years and no more than two children can be under two years of age or three children under the age of three. Parents whose children are enrolled in a family day home are eligible to apply for subsidy.

Standards require a criminal record check and an Intervention Check be provided for all individuals over the age of 18 years residing in the home. 

What is Private Babysitting?

A private babysitter is a private residence that independently provides care for children. The maximum number of children to be cared for in a private babysitting arrangement is six children under 11 years of which three children can be under two years of age. Parents are responsible for screening and monitoring of private caregivers. No subsidy is available in private babysitting situations.

When choosing a private care arrangement parents should be allowed to complete a safety check of the home, this includes viewing all rooms in the prospective home and the outdoor play area. Discuss the following:

• where children will play and rest:
• the daily routine and the activities that will be provided;
• the discipline policy;
• who will be responsible for providing snacks and lunches;
• does the caregiver have a valid first aid certificate in child care;
• has the caregiver taken any training in child care;
• the emergency evacuation plan.

Parents are encouraged to request both a criminal record check and an Intervention Check for all individuals over the age of 18 years residing in the home they are placing their children.  Parents should be able to visit their child unannounced at any time of day. The parent should be permitted to enter the home at drop off and pick-up times.

Find more information by visiting the Children#s Services website: http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/, then selecting Child Care and Staff Qualifications.