Centre-based
Infants (0 - 18 mos)	17,181
Preschoolers	23,347

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Children with special needs in regulated child care	400
(1998 average, monthly)

 

SUBSIDIES

Children receiving subsidies (1998)	11,400
Percentage of children in regulated child care receiving subsidies	24%

 

SPONSORSHIP OF REGULATED CENTRE SPACES (1998)

Non-profit	16,793
For-profit	23,735

Maximum centre size

80 spaces

Staff qualification requirements    Program directors are required to have training equivalent to a 2-year public college diploma in early childhood education.

One in four staff in each centre is required to have training equivalent to a 1-year public college early childhood education certificate.

All other child care staff are required to have a 50 hour orientation course or equivalent course work.

Parent involvement   Not specified

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement   Quarterly licensing inspections are conducted by 28 provincial licensing officers and day care specialists. Licensing officers and day care specialists currently operate under a social work classification and come from a variety of backgrounds, including family studies and early childhood education. The Day Care Licensing Policy Manual (1993) provides interpretation of the legislation.

If a centre is in non-compliance with the regulations, a series of actions may occur, starting with a formal written order directing the centre to comply within a specific time frame, up to cancellation of the license, or refusal to renew the license. Operating allowances may be witheld pending compliance. There is a formal Appeal Board set up by the Minister to hear appeals if a license is cancelled or refused. The legislation allows the decision of the Appeal Panel to be appealed at the Court of Queen's Bench. Its decision is binding.

REGULATED FAMILY DAY CARE

Regulation    Family day care homes are not licensed. The gowvernment enters into contracts with family day care home agencies to approve and monitor providers according to provincial standards. Agencies contract with individual care providers.

Maximum capacity    Up to six children under 11 years (including the provider's own children under 11 years) with a maximum of three children under 3 years, and no more than two children under 2 years.

Provider qualification requirements    No formal training requirements.

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement    Agency staff visit family day care homes once a month to ensure that providers are operating according to provincial standards. Provincial staff may also conduct sample spot checks of agencies and homes.