In Canada, there are different types of daycare for toddlers and preschoolers: full- or part-time daycare centres and home daycares, which may be regulated or unregulated.
Regulated daycare
A home daycare or a daycare centre may obtain a government licence to operate, though it is not a requirement. However, regulation ensures that childcare provider meets government requirements. The amount of control held by the issuing body and the licensing standards vary from province to province. Several criteria are monitored through regulation, including the child-to-caregiver ratio, the minimum allowable space and safety training for staff. Both licensed home daycares and daycare centres are inspected on a regular basis.
- Daycare centres:In Canada there are regulated full- and part-time daycare facilities that can accommodate several groups of children. In general, the rules are the same for both, although sometimes certain requirements vary. Part-time daycares in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Yukon are not required to hold an operating licence.
- Home daycares:With this format, a caregiver looks after children in her home. In some jurisdictions, including Quebec, Alberta and Yukon, there may be more than one caregiver — the caregiver and an assistant — which allows the home daycare to accommodate a larger number of children.
Unregulated daycare
Because the available spaces in licensed daycares can be limited or the prices harder to manage, many families resort to unregulated daycares, either in a home setting or at a centre. The cost varies greatly from one province or territory to another. Apart from limits on the number of children they accommodate, these daycares may or may not meet other acceptable standards for care because they are not overseen by a regulating body. Parents must judge for themselves the quality of care and the integrity of the caregivers.
Minimum standards
It is important to mention that the requirements regulated daycares must follow are the minimum acceptable standards. A licence alone is not a guarantee of quality care. So, regardless of the different types of daycare in Canada, the guiding principle for parents should always be “buyer beware.” Interview the caregivers, observe the premises, and ask other parents for feedback before sending your child to any type of daycare.
