Choosing childcare can involve difficult decisions for parents.  After  all, this will be the environment in which your child will be spending much of his/her day while you are at work.  Parents want a safe environment where all of the child's needs are being met.

There are numerous options available for parents today.  It is no longer a matter of leaving a child with a neighbour as in the days of our parents.  Families today choose from licensed day-care centres, pre-schools, licensed home day-care providers to name just a few.  Much of the choice depends on a family's needs and expectations.

Some parents find that a licensed day-care centre appeals to them.  A licensed day-care centre follows government guidelines and standards as outlined in the Day Nurseries Act.  The staff must undergo security screenings and most often have Early Childhood Education (ECE) qualifications.  With this option, there are several children in each room with trained caregivers.  Rooms are usually organised according to age groupings.  Licensed  Day-care Centres  provide a structured day with posted menus and written reports of each child's day.  Often the decision for a licensed day-care setting is made due to reasons of safety, security and the intention that a child will hopefully have an educational advantage, being cared for in a stimulating environment.

For other parents, the idea of licensed centre can seem to formal or institutional.  Sometimes parents prefer an environment that off the comforts of home but still provides a structured well balanced day.  Safety is often a shared concern for these parents as they search for a setting that conforms to ministry standards requiring the childcare provider to undergo police security clearance screenings and Child's Aid Services (CAS) checks.  But when it comes time to search for a setting many parents may find it difficult to find a home childcare provider in their area or in the area close to their place of employment.  Thus families may decide that contacting a licensed  home day-care agency is a good solution.

Private home childcare providers often meet with similar standards of both day-care centres and licensed home childcare organisations.  There are a number of pieces of legislation that pertain to childcare which private home childcare providers are required to comply with, including:  the Health protection and Promotion Act and Regulations, the Ontario building Code and Regulations and the Ontario Fire Code.  Private home childcare must adhere to provincial regulations governing home childcare, which outline standards such as the number of children permitted in a providers care (no more than five children, not including their own).  Many home childcare providers complete Police screening and CAS checks, as well as Regional Health Department and Fire Prevention inspections.  Also many providers complete annual First Aid and CPR training.

There are some private home childcare providers who obtain and ECE education and attend childcare related workshops, seminars, training programs and conferences.  Some providers post set menus and provide daily written reports similar to that of a day-care  centre.  Often providers will offer outings such as visits to the local library, outdoor and indoor playgrounds, or other appropriate filed trips.  There are providers who set their home up quite similarly to a small day-care centre with various activity "stations" geared towards creative, cognitive, dramatic and active play yet there are others, who may offer an environment much like your own home.  In many cases, the provider who cares for your child when they are an infant or toddler, will go on to care for them when they become school-aged children requiring before and after school care.

The benefits of home childcare are numerous.  1. Personalised care.  2. Small groups of children with varying ages.  3. A comfortable environment.  4. Flexibility in the hours or weeks of care.  Often a home childcare provider can be found close to your home, or close to your place of employment.

You will likely find that private home childcare providers treat their day-care business as seriously as any other business.  Many providers supply written contractual agreements which outline the terms of care, and require emergency contact information and other related forms.  But there is a personal side to home childcare too.  A home childcare provider is in the business of childcare for one reason; because he/she enjoys caring for and being in the company of children.  Often providers will form relationships or bonds with the children and parents, and provide a beneficial adult role model in the child's life.

(Tracy Skelton is advertising co-ordinator with the Halton Child Care Providers Association which offers free referral services to parents in Halton.)

This article is a reprint from the 2007/2008 Childcare Options book from City Parent which is avail

Disclaimer: The Halton Child Care Providers Association does not warrant the information posted on this site concerning any provider.  We do not license or endorse any particular provider.  It is the sole responsibility of the parents to verify that the provider meets all provincial standards and requirements for their needs