Childcare in Canada - How do we Compare? Innocenti Report Card PDF

When You Need Child Care

Are you going back to school or work?  Do you think your child is ready for the social dynamics of preschool?  Finding good quality child care that meets the needs of your family can be a challenge no matter the reason for child care.  The added concern of trusting a stranger with the care of your precious child, especially for new parents, can also be an issue. 

The key to finding good quality care is to shop around.  Start the search for child care one to three months before you need the care.  Find out what the options are and decide what kind of care you need.   The Province published a booklet called “Parent’s Guide to Selecting Child Care”.  This booklet provides a very comprehensive list of questions to consider when choosing child care.  The booklet is available on line at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca or at the Cowichan Valley Child Care Resource and Referral.  Some of the questions families may want to ask potential child care providers include:

• Are you licensed through Community Care Licensing or registered with a CCRR?
• What kind of training do you have related to caring for children?
• Do you have liability insurance?
• Do you provide a range of interesting, age appropriate activities?
• And most important of all, do you truly enjoy the company of young children?

There are certain responsibilities and expectations of both families and child care providers.  Families will expect a safe, nurturing environment where children have many opportunities to play and grow.  Child care providers will expect to be paid on time, have the agreed upon hours kept and that families will talk with providers on a daily basis to build up a trusting relationship.

Call the Cowichan Valley Child Care Resource and Referral Program at 250- 746-4135 for more information or visit our website at www.islandfamilyinfo.ca. 

Delta McDonell is the Regional Coordinator for CCRR on Vancouver Island.