NUMBER OF REGULATED CHILD CARE SPACES (1998) *1

*1  All spaces are considered to be full-time. However, preschool programs operate for less than 3 consecutive hours.

REGULATED CENTRES

*2   Preschool programs which operate for less than 3 consecutive hours at a time are allowed to operate with a ratio of 1:10 instead of the required 1:8 for preschool-aged groups in child care centres.

*3   The current Act and Regulations covers special needs children up to age 16 .

Staff qualification requirements     In centre-based care, each group of children must be under the supervision of at least one caregiver who is certified in a first-aid course approved by the director.

By September 1997, 50% of the regular staff in a program had to meet or exceed the Child Care Worker I qualifications. By 1999, the new regulations require that in addition, 30% of the staff had to meet or exceed the Child Care Worker II qualifications. By 2000, the new regulations require that, in addition, 20% of staff must meet or exceed the Child Care Worker III qualifications.

Child Care Worker I: successfully completed a 60 hour introduction to early childhood development course or equivalent.

Child Care Worker II: successfully completed 1 year of training in early childhood development or equivalent.

Child Care Worker III: successfully completed 2 or more years of training in early childhood development or equivalent.

Parent involvement    The operator of the centre must ensure that open communication is maintained with parents and guardians on all matters affecting their child. Parents and guardians must also have reasonable access to the program, inspection reports, written policies, menus, log of injuries, The Child Care Act, and The Regulation and Guidelines, and The Child Care Subsidy Regulation.

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement    A government Child Care Coordinator conducts one required annual inspection and also conducts three to five unannounced visits per year to each child care centre. Child Care Coordinators are required to have a background in early childhood education. Centres are also required to have an annual fire and environmental health inspection.

If a centre is in non-compliance with the regulations, they are given an order to comply. If the centre does not come into compliance within the stated time-frame allowed by the order, the license may be suspended or revoked. If a license is suspended or revoked, the centre can appeal to the Yukon Child Care Board, composed of community members appointed by the Minister for a 2 year term. Its decision is binding.

REGULATED FAMILY DAY CARE

Regulation    Individually licensed

Maximum capacity    Up to eight children (including the provider's own preschool but not school-aged children). There may be no more than three infants if there are also three children who are preschoolers or school-age already enrolled. If there is an additional caregiver, there may be four additional school-age children.

Provider qualification requirements    Caregivers must complete a 60 hour introductory early childhood development course, a specific family day home course, or equivalent within the first year they provide care for children. Caregivers must be 18 years of age and have a first-aid certificate.

Licensing, monitoring and enforcement     Family day care homes are regulated by the same legislation as child care centres. They receive one annual inspection and four to five unannounced spot checks per year by a government Child Care Coordinator to monitor for compliance with the regulations.