Getting started checklist and agency vs. private

[Jenny]

I am from Calgary, Alberta. I am stating this because I know things are different from province to province.

I just want to make sure I am doing everything I need to get my day home started and running

This is what I think I need:

1. A registered name. (Do I get this form my local registry?)
2. Incorporation of the business
3. A BN number (business number)
4. Insurance for home/car
5. I am hiring an employee, so I will need to pay them EI and CPP
6. Updated first aid/CPR
7. Criminal record check for myself and my husband (should my in laws have it? they will be picking up my daughter from my home once a week)
8. A parent policy handbook and contract
9. Choice....listening through an agency

A note on #9
What is your personal opinion and even experience of agency vs. private. Should I go with one or not, and why or why not.


As well, is there a website or perhaps a section in this forum where I can get this information.

Thanks so much!

[Crayola kiddies]

I think in Calgary you can have 6 kids .....is it financially worth it to hire an employee and pay the cpp and ei on top of the wage ? why not just start off with a few kids and keep adding until you think its as much as you can handle...if you were only able to take 5 kids comfortable then financially that would make more sense to me as im sure you would be paying out more then $250 a week. Plus sometimes its hard to fill all your spots right away depending on the demand in your area and how many providers there are.

[2cuteboys]

I'm in Alberta and with an agency. With the agency you're allowed up yo 6 (including your own). From what I understand you can have more than 6 if you're private, but I've heard different things from different people (official documents on this are murky, I haven't found anything that outright states a limit on # of kids).

With an agency you are limited to 2 under 2, 3 under 3. It can be difficult to fill the over 3 spots if you don't drive as a lot of them are in preschool, kindergarten. There aren't ratio rules with private.

The agency can refer people to you, though you might have more competition than with word of mouth.

My agency fees are minimal ($50/month), but in AB you can get wage top-up if you are with an accredited agency and are qualified (everything from working in a daycare/with children to any degree involving children or education). It's $2.21-6.62/per hour you are open with a child under school age. It doesn't seem like much but can add up quickly (my full months are ~$1200 on top of the monthly fee each child pays).

As for your list, I don't have any of the first 3. But I have the agency to cover my butt in case something happens.

[Jenny]

Crayola kiddies,
I appreciate your feedback. My reason for having an employee is for 1 a month relief, sick days relief, and vacation coverage. It is my sister-in-law and she is fine with occasionally helping out. The CRA website has an employee calculator and her government 'fees' would be very low.

[Jenny]

Thanks for the info. Can you bring some more light to this comment, I am a little confused by it,


My agency fees are minimal ($50/month), but in AB you can get wage top-up if you are with an accredited agency and are qualified (everything from working in a daycare/with children to any degree involving children or education). It's $2.21-6.62/per hour you are open with a child under school age. It doesn't seem like much but can add up quickly (my full months are ~$1200 on top of the monthly fee each child pays).

Thanks

[Crayola kiddies]

ohhhhh I see ....my mother in law helps out the odd day for me (maybe once every two months) when I don't want to close down or use a personal day and I just give her some cash ...as for holidays I close up and the parents take holidays the same time as me. thankfully I have never had to close for a sick day (knock on wood)

[2cuteboys]

Thanks for the info. Can you bring some more light to this comment, I am a little confused by it,


My agency fees are minimal ($50/month), but in AB you can get wage top-up if you are with an accredited agency and are qualified (everything from working in a daycare/with children to any degree involving children or education). It's $2.21-6.62/per hour you are open with a child under school age. It doesn't seem like much but can add up quickly (my full months are ~$1200 on top of the monthly fee each child pays).

Thanks

http://humanservices.albert a.ca/documents/accreditation-funding-overview-daycare-programs.pdf

http://humanservices.albert a.ca/family-community/child-care-providers-accreditation-funding.html

Basically the AB government will pay you extra money just for being open if you are eligible for one of their 3 designations of childcare workers and are with an accredited agency. It's an incentive program to entice individuals who have formal training or education to open day homes. You'd have to speak with someone at an agency as I know it varies as to what sort of training they accept at which level.