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Structured Care

For many parents, a new school year also means finding appropriate care for preschool children. There are many options and it is 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 reasons for
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 Licensed Group Family Child Care?

Group family child care programs offer care in a private residence. There are typically between seven and 10 children with two caregivers. Group family child care programs are suited for children aged 0-12 and offer care before, during or after school. Standards are set to ensure that of the 10 children allowed, not more than 3 may be under 3 years of age and not more than 2 may be infants. Standards require a criminal record check and an Intervention Check be provided for all individuals over the age of 18 years residing or working in the home.

What is a Licensed Out of School Care?

Licensed OSC Centers provide for children before and after school, during the lunch hour or when schools are closed. OSC programs are licensed to provide care to children at least 4.5 years old to 12 years of age. Child care subsidies of OSC are available families.

What is a Licensed Nursery School?

These schools provide care and supervision for preschool children for three consecutive hours or less each day. These half-day programs provide developmentally-appropriate social and learning experiences for young children and are typically used by families who do not require full-day day care. Child care subsidies are available to eligible stay-at-home parents.

Please see the Resources page for additional links and forms. Find more information visit the Alberta Children & Youth Services website.