Regulated spaces
Infants (0-18 mos)	5,300
Toddlers (19-30 mos)	15,000
Preschoolers (31mos-5 yrs)	106,200
School age (6-12 yrs)	40,590
Total	167,090
(It is estimated that about 18,000 of these are in family day care)

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Children with special needs in regulated child care	19,212
(1998 monthly estimate)

 

SUBSIDIES

Children receiving subsidies (1998 estimate)	73,400
Percentage of children in regulated child care receiving subsidies (estimate)	44%

 

SPONSORSHIP OF REGULATED CENTRE SPACES

Not-for-profit	120,756
For-profit	28,191
Municipal	18,143
Total	167,090

 

FAMILY DAY CARE

Family day care enrollment (1998 estimate)

18,143

Maximum centre size

not specified

Staff qualification requirements    Centre supervisors must have a 2 year diploma in early childhood education from an approved College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) or the equivalent, and at least 2 years experience working in a day nursery with children who are of the same age and developmental level as the children in the day nursery where the supervisor is employed. A Ministry Director has the authority to waive the educational requirements for directors and other staff in a specific program.

One staff person with each group of children must have a 2 year early childhood education diploma (CAAT) or equivalent.

A resource teacher must hold a diploma in early childhood education or academic equivalent and have completed a post-secondary school program related to the needs of children with special needs. If working with children with multiple disabilities, the resource teacher must also have a current standard certificate in first-aid. There are no training or experience requirements for staff other than resource teachers who are working with children who have special needs.

Parent involvement    Each centre and private home day care agency must have a written statement regarding parent involvement. The type of parental involvement is not specified.

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement    Ministry Program Advisors based in Regional Offices license, monitor and enforce the Day Nurseries Act and its Regulations. The Program Advisors are not required to have training in early childhood education. The annual license renewal process includes an inspection of the child care facility to ensure compliance with the regulatory standards. Unannounced drop-in visits are also conducted. Non-compliance with the legislation which does not pose an immediate threat to the children’s well-being may result in a provisional license with a time-frame in which the operator is required to correct the non-compliance. Repeated non-compliance of a serious nature or non-compliance which poses a likely danger to the children may result in a refusal to renew or a revocation of the license. However, the Director of Child Care must give notice of intent to close the centre to the operator who then has the right to appeal to the Child and Family Services Review Board. The legislation provides the authority for immediate closure in the situation of immediate danger to the children’s well-being.

REGULATED FAMILY DAY CARE

In Ontario, family day care has historically been referred to as "private home day care,"and is referred to in this way in provincial legislation. The term "home child care" is commonly used.

Regulation   The province licenses private home day care agencies which then enter into agreements with caregivers to provide child care, and provide supervision as specified in the regulations.

Maximum capacity    Care for up to five children from 0-12 years. Not more than two of the children may be under 2 years, and not more than three of the children may be under 3 years, including the caregiver’s own children under 6 years. Not more than two may be children with special needs. Only one child with special needs may be cared for if there is one other child under 2 years of age, or two children over 2 years of age.

Provider qualification requirements    There are no caregiver training qualifications specified in provincial regulations. Regulation requires caregivers to be older than 18 years, and, if working with children with special needs, to hold a standard first-aid certificate. Many agencies provide training for caregivers.

Caregivers are supervised by agency staff called home visitors. Home visitors are required to have completed a post-secondary program in child development or family studies, and to have at least 2 years experience working with children who are the same age and developmental levels as the children cared for by the agency where the person is employed.

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement    The home visitor is required to conduct quarterly in-home supervisory visits. The agency is responsible for ensuring that legislated requirements are met.