Child care licensing - Alberta

1 Child care licensing handbook Facility-based programs This publication is issued under the Open Government Licence Alberta ( ). Please note that the terms of this licence do not apply to any third-party materials included in this publication. This publication is available online at Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services 2021 Government of Alberta | February 1, 2021 | ISBN 978-1-4601-5013-9. 2 Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services Table of Contents 5. Child care licensing 5. 6. Quality in Child Principles 13. Matters to be considered by providers of Child care programs 13. Part 1: The Application Applying for a Child care facility-based licence 14. Step 1: Determine if you require a Child care licence 14. Home-based Child care 14. Step 2: Complete a licence holder information session 14. Step 3: Determine the type of Child care you will offer 15.

2 Step 4: Start the licensing process and develop your plan 16. Step 5: Obtain the required health, municipal and safety approvals 17. Step 6: Complete your application package 18. Step 7: Submit your application 20. Step 8: Prepare for an inspection of the program premises. 21. Step 9: Understand and fulfill your responsibilities during the term of the licence 22. Part 2: licensing inspections, enforcement and 26. Inspection visits 26. Purpose of inspection visits 26. Types of inspections 26. How to prepare for an inspection 28. What to expect during an inspection 29. Duty to post information and inform parents 29. Enforcement 30. 3 Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services Part 3: Reporting 33. Part 4: Child Care 34. How to apply for certification 34. Child care program staff requirements 35. Part 5: Alternative dispute resolution, administrative review and 36.

3 Step 1. Talk to your licensing officer 36. Step 2. Talk to a licensing supervisor 36. Steps to file an appeal 38. Step 1. Complete a notice of appeal 38. Step 2. File your notice of appeal 39. Appendix A: Determine useable play 40. 4 Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services Introduction Child care operators and early childhood educators play a vital role supporting children and families across the province this is essential for Alberta 's economy. Parents and families rely on their Child care providers to support the growth, development and overall health of their children. When parents and caregivers go to work or school, they need to know their children are safe and have everything they need to grow and thrive. The Early Learning and Child Care Act and Early Learning and Child Care Regulation give operators and educators the tools and flexibility to do what they do best, meeting the needs of families in their communities.

4 This legislation is based on feedback from over 10,000 Albertans who participated in the first Child care consultation since 2008, as well as feedback received from the sector over the last decade. It provides a high standard for quality and safety in licensed programs, more information and transparency for parents and caregivers, and streamlines and modernizes licensing processes so that providers can spend more time supporting children instead of doing paperwork. Child care licensing This handbook will help guide prospective and licensed facility-based Child care providers through the licensing process. In this handbook, you will find information about terms used in the legislation, how to apply for or renew your Child care licence, what is involved in the inspection and monitoring process, and the tools available to you during the term of your licence. Alberta 's Child care licensing officers are available to support you from the initial application through all the steps to becoming a licence holder.

5 They are responsible for monitoring and inspecting licensed programs and will also support licence holders who are having difficulty meeting licensing requirements. Call Child Care Connect toll-free at 1-844-644-5165 to connect with a licensing officer near you. As a Child care licence holder, you are responsible for being familiar with the legislative requirements for a licensed program, and ensuring your program follows the legislation and what you have outlined and committed to in your program plan. Information in this handbook does not supersede the Act and Regulation. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the Act and Regulation. 5 Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services Terms This section outlines phrases and terms used in the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulation and throughout this handbook. Accident Child An unexpected or unintended occurrence resulting in injury A Child under the age of 13 years, or a Child under the age of to a Child or staff member of a Child care program.

6 When an 14 years who, because of a special need, requires Child care. accident occurs, medical attention must be given to the Child and parents must be notified immediately. Child care If an accident results in serious injury requiring emergency The temporary care and supervision of a Child by an individual medical attention or overnight hospitalization, it must be other than the Child 's parent or guardian. The definition reported as an incident to the local licensing office . excludes the following: group homes, foster homes or other residential care The Act or ELCCA settings;. Refers to the Early Learning and Child Care Act unless programs or services provided under the Education Act;. otherwise specified. day camps, vacation camps or other recreational Adequate programs that are operated for less than 12 consecutive weeks in any 12 month period; and Sufficient to meet the particular needs of each Child and/or supervision of children at a recreational facility, retail staff member.

7 Centre or other commercial establishment where the After hours parents of the children remain on the premises and are immediately available. Outside the program's official hours of service, as stated in the program plan. Child care philosophy After-hours emergency program contact A description of the licence holder's vision of a Child care program; the beliefs and values on which the program will A telephone number to contact a licence holder or be based; how the staff and children interact; and how the representative in the event of an emergency, incident, or program will support children to develop mental, emotional, unusual occurrence. The contact number must be for spiritual and physical needs at various stages of development. someone able to respond in an emergency or unusual event. This number must be visible from outside the program Child care program premise.

8 A Child care program means a facility-based program or a Attendance records family day home program. Records detailing the arrival and departure times of each Child and primary staff member. In the case of staff, attendance records must specify the number of hours spent caring for children. There is no set format for recording or maintaining attendance records. However, licensing staff must be able to determine from the records whether the program is meeting staff- to- Child ratios and staffing requirements. 6 Child care licensing handbook | Children's Services Child guidance Court The approach and methods used by a Child care program The Court of Queen's Bench. to teach children the expectations and skills required to be successful in the program including the development of Daycare healthy self-esteem, respect for themselves and others, to Child care provided by a facility-based program to infants, reduce the frequency and severity of negative behaviours, preschool children and kindergarten children for four or more and to build executive function and self-regulation to manage consecutive hours in each day the program is provided.

9 An array of potential stressors. Duty to inform parents Positive Child guidance gives children a sense of security and protection and creates positive, safe and appropriate For facility-based Child care programs, the obligation to environments for children. A licence holder must ensure provide parents or guardians of all children in the program that Child guidance methods used in the program are with information making them aware of any postings related communicated to parents, staff, and children where to variations on the licence, any probationary licences issued, developmentally appropriate, and that any Child guidance and any licence that has been cancelled. provided is reasonable in the circumstances. Additionally, through the matters to be considered by providers of Child Early Learning and Child Care Act care programs outlined in the Early Learning and Child Care The Early Learning and Child Care Act provides the Alberta Act, a Child in in the program is to be protected from all government the authority to support, license, inspect, and forms of physical punishment, physical and verbal abuse and monitor Child care programs.

10 Emotional deprivation. Early Learning and Child Care Regulation Collateral authorities The Early Learning and Child Care Regulation specifies the Separate and distinct authorities that review and provide minimum standards to be upheld by all licensed facility-based approval concerning zoning, health, and safety legislation. Child care programs. These regulations include requirements Typically, evidence of approval is required from Alberta Health such as health and safety of children, quality of care, early Services, the local fire department, an approved building learning, and supervision of children. code inspector and/or a local municipality. Visit Child -care for more information. Collateral authorities may also Easily accessible washrooms be involved in investigations of incidents or complaints. Washrooms children can access with or without assistance from an educator from both indoor and outdoor activities.