Home Child Care Association of Ontario Calls for All Home Child Care to be Licensed

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - In response to the Auditor General's Report relating to child care in Ontario, the Home Child Care Association of Ontario (HCCAO) is supporting the call to ensure that adequate policies and procedures are in place to verify that private-home day care agencies comply with legislative requirements and deliver services to children in a healthy, safe environment. Working alongside the Ministry of Education, we can ensure that standards and requirements are in place to support children and families in Ontario.

Background:

Ontario has an effective system of licensed home child care. Working with Ontario's licensed child care agencies, Ontario can ensure that all non-family child care providers are monitored by a licensed home child care agency. In Ontario, many individuals care for children in their home without being affiliated with a licensed home child care agency. These individuals provide "unlicensed" care and are not required to meet legislative standards, with the exception of the provision dealing with the number of children in their care. Ensuring that all providers are monitored by a licensed child care agency will dramatically improve the quality and safety of home child care arrangements.

The HCCAO also recommends that a public education campaign about licensed child care begin, and that the current complaint-based structure be maintained until a phased-in approach where all home child care is regulated. We acknowledge the work of the Ministry of Education Early Years Division and want to work with them to ensure that all child care is licensed.

The HCCAO membership is committed to the well-being of children and has a strong interest in contributing to the dialogue about how child care programs for children are organized, delivered and regulated throughout the province. The HCCAO believes:

• Licensing standards should apply to all home-based child care.
• Legislated standards should apply to all home-based child care.
• All children should have equal access to quality care.
• Quality home-based care is achieved through the establishment of a minimum set of legislated standards that include: expectations regarding age-appropriate programming, developmentally appropriate supervision practices, minimum safety and health standards, regular inspections and mechanisms for enforcement, fair remuneration for caregivers, access to professional development and training, education and social support.

Image with caption: "Home Child Care Association of Ontario (CNW Group/Home Child Care Association of Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141210_C5572_PHOTO_EN_9288.jpg

SOURCE: Home Childcare Association of Ontario

contact Marni Flaherty, President of the Home Child Care Association of Ontario 905 906 0030, Home Child Care Association of Ontario, 756 Ossington Avenue, Toronto ON M6G 3T9 [email protected]