Choosing Child Care

Choosing a Child Care Provider

High quality child care is extremely important in the lives of children and families. It helps children to develop skills they will need for the rest of their lives; it supports families in their child-rearing role by providing a warm and nurturing environment for their children as well as knowledgeable and empathetic adults who are their willing partners in this enterprise; and it plays an important role in the community's ability to support the business of living their lives. (Partners in Quality Communities CCCF, 1999)

Quality child care should support a child's emotional, social, intellectual and physical well being.

Indicators of Quality Child Care

Quality care involves a variety of factors that affect children, parents, staff, and caregivers. Adult-child ratio, group size, caregiver training and education, the curriculum, physical environment, interactions, parent involvement and relationships are among the aspects which need to be recognized as part of the child care environment. Many of these factors are identified in research which examines issues related to quality child care. (Administering Early Childhood Settings The Canadian Perspective, Yeates, McKenna, Warberg, Chandler)

Important Elements

Important items for quality child care:

  • A caregiver who is warm, sensitive & responsive
  • A safe, healthy environment
  • Activities that stimulate the child's development
  • Good communication between the parent and the provider
  • A child-rearing philosophy that matches the parent's philosophy, especially where discipline is concerned

Caregiver Qualities

Look for the following qualities in a caregiver:

  • A sense of humour
  • Patience
  • Responsibility
  • Confidentiality
  • Good Health
  • Lots of Energy
  • Confidence
  • Creativity
  • Organization

Environment

Look for the following qualities in the environment:

  • Furniture for care, play and learning
  • Furniture for relaxation
  • Space for privacy
  • Space for gross motor activity
  • Room arrangement
  • Child-related display

Child Care Costs and Financial Assistance

The cost of paying for child care is a major consideration for most families. A large part of family income is needed to pay for high quality child care programs.

There are many reasons why child can be so expensive. Some of the reasons include high ratios of adults to children, provider qualifications, location of care and costs of space, insurance, equipment and special programs. Quality care for infants and toddlers can be especially expensive due to small group sizes.

Choosing Child Care

Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. Before making that decision there are some things to consider. The following information includes items you should consider in your decision. For more information please contact your Child Care Resource & Referral office.

Guidelines:

  • Liability: The borrower assumes all responsibilities and liabilities that may arise in regard to the use of the resource library items.
  • Limits: Maximum four items, Events & Holiday Bins can be borrowed for two weeks, all other Resources for 30 days.
  • Borrowing: Return items on or before the due date. Do not lend borrowed items to anyone.
  • Use: Library items are to be used under adult supervision only. Please keep items in their original containers and see that all items are accounted for after each use. Items are to be used age appropriately.
  • Checking Resources: It is the borrower’s responsibility to verify that all items are in good repair and are accounted for. If there are any discrepancies, notify the CCRR within 48 hours of the date borrowed or you may be responsible for any missing or damaged items.
  • Cleaning: All items are to be returned in good, clean usable condition. All toys are to be cleaned and disinfected. The inside and the outside of theme boxes must be wiped down.
  • Returning Items: Please account for all items by initialing the inventory sheet provided with each theme box. Please count all other items (non-theme box materials).

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Organization Information

Example: Happy Endings Daycare

Affordable Child Care Benefit

As of September 1, 2018, the Affordable Child Care Benefit has replaces the Child Care Subsidy. The new funding will help families with the cost of child care, depending on factors like family size, type of care and household income.

The Affordable Child Care Benefit replaces the current Child Care Subsidy on the basis of amendments made to the Child Care Subsidy Regulation.

Parents may be eligible if they…

  • Are a resident of B.C.
  • Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection
  • Demonstrate financial eligibility. Generally speaking, families that earn up to $111,000 may qualify for funding.
  • Are using an eligible type of child care. Most types of child care are eligible. (licensed group, family or preschool; license-not-required or registered license-not-required; in child’s own home). Child care by a family member who lives with you and licensed occasional child care are not eligible for funding.
  • Working or self-employed
  • Attending school
  • Participating in an employment program
  • Looking for work (only one parent or guardian)
  • Living with a medical condition
  • Have child care recommended by the Ministry of Education and Child Care (MECC)

The Abbotsford CCRR can assist you with:

  • Computer access to the online application process
  • Assistance with the application process
  • Phone access
  • Faxing of paper-based forms
More Information