| |
If
a person is caring for more than four children, including
their own, the program must be licensed. Those who are
caring for fewer than four children are operating an
unregulated service. Those who are caring for four children
or more and who do not have a child daycare licence are
operating illegally. Licensed programs are inspected every
year by fire and health inspectors and the Department’s
Early Childhood Consultants. They must meet the minimum
standards set out in the Northwest Territories Child Day
Care Act and Regulations. Should you have any
concerns or questions about licensing
contact your
Regional Early Childhood Consultant.
You
must be licensed in order to receive support from the
Government of the Northwest Territories Early Childhood
Program. The program offers:
-
Access to start-up
funding and ongoing operational support for those
operating non-profit programs, including family day
homes;
-
Assistance with
programming ideas and planning;
-
Centre visits by Early
Childhood Program Consultants and health and fire
inspectors to ensure the safety of your program;
-
Newsletters.
Getting your licence will also create opportunities to meet
with other licensed operators. This could provide you with:
-
Assistance with
programming;
-
Establish back-ups for
holidays, illness or case of emergency;
-
Referral from other
licensed family day home providers;
-
Meetings, workshops and
social gatherings;
-
Resource and
information sharing;
-
Opportunities to
network with other people in your profession;
-
Contact with other
adults;
-
Combined group outings.
Other Benefits
The
public believes that licensed care is better, more credible
and official than care provided by a babysitter.
-
Meeting established
health, safety and program standards creates trust;
-
Licensing promotes
professionalism and adds pride and respect to valued
services for children and families;
-
Licensing promotes
confidence for both parents and childcare providers;
-
Licensing will increase
the number of child care options in your community;
-
Your neighborhood or
community will become more attractive to families and
businesses by providing licensed child care.
How Do I Get Licensed?
In order to become licensed,
the following must be provided:
-
A complete application
form;
-
A written statement of
the child care program’s goals and objectives;
-
A copy of the facility
floor plan, showing room dimensions and location of
fixed equipment;
-
Evidence of compliance
with the local zoning by-laws;
-
Evidence of a minimum
of $1,000,000 Comprehensive General Liability insurance
coverage ($2,000,000 if applying for financial
contributions);
-
An emergency evacuation
plan;
-
A written policy for
parental involvement;
-
A list of all staff,
qualifications, duties and hours of work;
-
If the facility is run
by a non-profit agency, a list of the Board of Directors
with addresses and phone numbers (family day homes are
considered non-profit agencies, but don’t require a
Board of Directors);
-
A copy of an approved
inspection by the Office of the Fire Marshal regarding
compliance with the National Fire Code;
-
A copy of an approved
inspection by an Environmental Health Officer in
compliance with the Public Health Act.
Start
Up and Ongoing Contribution funding is available for
eligible non-profit licensed programs. The amount of funding
received is based on the number of spaces and the rates vary
from community to community.
If
you would like to become a licensed childcare provider or if
you would like more information on start-up funding,
contact your Regional Early Childhood Consultant.
|
