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Child CareHow Do I Choose Quality Child Care for My Child?What is Licensed Child Care? How Many Children Can One Person Care For? How Much Does Licenced Child Care Cost? Am I Eligible for a Child Care Subsidy? How Do I Find Licensed Child Care? What Do I Do if I Have a Concern About My Child Care Service? What Should I Do if I Suspect Child Abuse? How Do I Become a Licensed Family Child Care Home? How Do I Start a Child Care Centre? How Do I Choose Quality Child Care for My Child? Good quality child care services provide a safe, healthy environment and support the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development of children. When looking for good quality child care services for your child, you should identify your needs, your priorities for child care and the needs of your child. Visit the daycare or family daycare home and discuss your expectations with potential child care providers and check references before deciding which service to use. Some factors to consider when choosing good quality child care are:
Further information is available from the Child Care regional office closest to you . What is Licensed Child Care? In Saskatchewan, the Child Care Branch licenses all child care centres. Individuals caring for children in the child's residence or in the caregiver's home do not require a licence from ELCC. However, many individuals who provide child care services in their home choose to become licensed as family child care home providers. Licensed centres and family child care homes meet and maintain specific standards stated in The Child Care Act and the Child Care Regulations. They are monitored by Early Learning and Child Care Consultants and have their licence reviewed annually. Unlicensed caregivers are not monitored by the department and are not subject to many legal requirements. Municipal governments may require a person operating a child care service to have a business licence, however, this licence does not provide an indication of the quality of child care provided. How Many Children Can One Person Care For? The Child Care Regulations identify the maximum number of children one person can be responsible for at any one time. The number depends on the ages of the children. In centres, one worker can care for a maximum of three infants, five toddlers, 10 pre-school age children or 15 school age children except in specific circumstances identified in the regulations. Family child care homes, whether licensed or unlicensed, may care for a maximum of eight children. Five of these children may be infants, toddlers and pre-school children of which only two may be infants and toddlers. If three infants and toddlers are in care, all other children must be of school age. How Much Does Licensed Child Care Cost? Child care centres and family child care homes are responsible for setting their own fees. In 2002, the cost of full-time child care ranged from $255 to $680 per month in centres and $230 to $600 per month in homes. Fees vary depending on several factors including the age of the child, services provided and the fundraising policies in centres. The cost of care is generally higher for young children in urban areas. Assistance with payment of Child Care fees is available to parents whose circumstances and monthly family income falls within the requirements of the Child Care Subsidies. Am I Eligible for a Child Care Subsidy? You will be eligible for child care subsidy if your circumstances and monthly family income falls within the requirements of the Child Care Subsidy Program. To be considered for subsidy you must:
For further information see the Child Care Subsidies publication or contact the Child Care Subsidy office at 1-800-667-7155. How Do I Find Licensed Child Care? You can get a list of the licensed Child Care centres and family child care homes by contacting the Child Care regional office closest to you or click on this link for licensed daycare homes/centres. What Do I Do if I Have a Concern About My Child Care Service? Discuss any concerns you have with your caregiver. If the situation is not resolved contact the Child Care regional office closest to you. They will handle your call discreetly. A Child Care Program Consultant will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action. What Should I Do if I Suspect Child Abuse? Anyone who has a reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected has a legal duty to report it. If you do not report it you could:
You can report information to:
Reports are kept private. They do not release the name of anyone who makes a report unless the name is needed at a court hearing. You can protect children from abuse and neglect by reporting your information. The majority of reports are made out of real concern for the safety and well-being of a child. Anyone who makes a report out of spite, anger, revenge or a desire to cause problems for a parent could be subject to legal action taken by the person against whom the false report is made. How Do I Become a Licensed Family Child Care Home? If you wish to become a licensed family child care home, contact the Child Care regional office closest to you or this link to "The Family Child Care Home Program". Our staff will be pleased to send you the information you require along with the name of the Child Care Consultant who will be available to assist you. How Do I Start a Child Care Centre? All Child Care centres in Saskatchewan must be
licensed by the Child Care Branch of Learning. For more detailed information
on developing a licensed facility, contact the Child Care
regional office closest to you or this link to a "Guide
to Developing a Child Care Centre". A Child Care consultant will be
available to assist you.
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