For your child's safety, please insist on qualifications for providers!

[horsegirl]

In British Columbia a family childcare provider looking after more than 2 children must be licensed with the Ministry of Children and Families and we must adhere to all regulations. A licensing officer will drop in unannounced to do an inspection of the daycare and provider. We need childsafe first aid, criminal record searches for all family members every 5 years, a stimulating educational program, proper sleeping arrangements, building and plumber inspections, etc etc... I know many in home (family daycare) providers and they offer safe, nurturing, quality care. I also know many daycare centres where there are allegations and investigations regarding abuse (mental, physical, emotional and neglect). Children have gone missing in centres, walking out the door without any of the many caregivers noticing. There are usually so many caregivers in a centre that the children have trouble bonding with anyone of them, there is no mother figure for them to cling to. There are so many children in the centres that many children do not get the hugs and comforting that they need because there is not enough time for all of them. There is a lot of bullying because caregivers have trouble monitoring to many children. I have had many discussions with a very well known Canadian child psychologist who sees no redeeming value in sending children under 7years old to an institutional/centre based daycare. I am sure there are some quality centres but I certainly would not have sent my boys to this sort of care. In my opinion Family (in home) daycare has much more to offer than the large institutional centres.