Choosing Child Care

"Choosing child care: a matter of choice not chance"

Child care options available to parents in HRM are:

  • Centre- Based Licensed Child Care Facilities: Care provided in facilities designed for children and meet regulations specified in the Nova Scotia Day Care Act and Regulations. These include both centre-based child care and approved family home day care agencies.
  • Family Home Day Care: Care provided in approved family homes, under the administration of licensed family home day care agency. These agencies meet the regulations, as outlined in the Nova Scotia Family Home Day Care Act. A maximum of six children of mixed age or eight school- age children are cared for in the approved family day care homes, including the provider’s own children.
  • Unregulated Child Care: Care provided by individuals in private residences. The Nova Scotia Day Care Act and Regulations state that a license from the Department of Community Services requires caring for more than 6 children of any age, or more than 8 children of school age, including the provider’s children. Any person caring for more than the allowable numbers is operating an illegal day care and risk being prosecuted, fined and possible imprisonment. Unregulated child care is not attached to any form of licensing standards.

To qualify for a license, an operator must meet requirements stated in the Day Care Act and Regulations. These requirements address issues such as staff training/adult-child ratios/minimal health and safety standards/the environment/and daily program. Licensed child care facilities are inspected for compliance with provincial regulations on an average of once a year.

Whether a parent chooses child care in the regulated or unregulated sector, it is the parent’s responsibility to be an active partner in their child care arrangement, which entails screening potential providers, daily communication with providers and monitoring their child's care. Choosing child care makes a big difference in the future of your child. By choosing quality care now, you give your child a head start on a strong mind, body and spirit plus a better chance for future success. So take your time in choosing child care. Compare your choices. Ask plenty of questions.

Following are some general points about choosing quality child care.

Determine Your Families Needs

Determine your family’s need in relation to number of children requiring care/hours of care/ how much you can afford to pay/your child’s age/personality and health.

Questions to ask when screening potential child care options:

  • What are your hours/days of operation?
  • Where are you located?
  • Do you have any openings for child(ren) aged ______?
  • How many children do you care for?
  • What are their ages?
  • What are your fees? What is included in these fees? Do you give receipts?
  • What activities and routines make up a typical day?
  • Do you have experience/training caring for children?
  • Do you have First Aid/CPR?
  • How long have you been providing care?
  • Do you have references?
  • Have you had an RCMP record check done?
  • Do you carry adequate liability insurance to care for children?

What to look for when visiting a home or centre:

  • Does the home or centre have a welcoming, comfortable feel?
  • Does it appear to be well maintained and clean?
  • Does the place look safe for your child?
  • Do the caregivers appear to enjoy talking and playing with children?
  • Does the caregiver talk to children on their level and respond to their questions?
  • Do they respond quickly and appropriately to a child's distress?
  • Are there plenty of toys and learning materials within a child's reach?
  • Are toys and equipment clean, comfortable and age appropriate?
  • When you listen, do you hear the happy voices of children involved in their play?
  • Do caregivers’ voices sound patient and happy?
  • Is there a genuine fondness for the children?
  • Count the number of children in the group. Then count the number of staff caring for them. Does this meet the regulations?
  • Do you get the impression the caregiver can handle the number of children in their care?
  • Where do the children eat, sleep and play?
  • Are these areas safe, clean, and have secure boundaries?

Child care is an issue that is present in all aspects of our community.

  • Children need quality care in order for them to reach their full potential.
  • Parents need affordable, accessible quality child care, so that they can attend school and work. Quality child care leads to parental satisfaction, less absenteeism due to child care disruptions, as well as increased productivity.
  • Employers and the economy need a stable, productive work force to flourish.
  • Community leaders need all of the above to come together to form a working community.

"IT TAKES A WHOLE VILLAGE TO RASIE A CHILD."

~African Proverb”