Calgary and Area Child and Family Services' role is to provide parents access to
a range of regulated child care options. Regulated child care programs are continually monitored to ensure established standards are met, and the children's health, safety and well being are protected.
Access to child care for low income
families is provided through the Child Care Subsidy Program.
The program also gives children with special
needs an opportunity to be included with their peers in child
care settings.
Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose quality
child care?
A: Choosing the best child
care arrangement for your child takes time, but is well worth
the effort. Follow the advice in our How
to Find Quality Child Care article to help you make the
right choice for you and your child.
Q:What child care options are available to
me?
A: The following child care options are either
licensed or approved by Calgary and Area Child and Family Services:
| Day Care Centre |
Provides care for seven or more children under the age of
seven years for more than three but less than 24 consecutive hours in
a day.
|
| Drop-in Centre |
Provides care for seven or more children for more than three
but less than 24 consecutive hours in a day. No child can be cared for
more than 40 hours in one month.
|
| Nursery School |
Provides care for seven or more children for less than three
consecutive hours in a day.
|
| Family Day Home |
Offers care in the provider's home for up to six children
under the age of 13 years. Day Homes are approved by agencies that operate
under contract with Child and Family Services and are approved by the City of Calgary to serve
school-aged children.
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Note: Private arrangements with babysitters and nannies
are also child care options. However, parents who choose these options do not have access to Child Care Subsidy, as Calgary and Area Child and Family Services and the
City of Calgary do not regulate and monitor these child care situations.
Parents alone are responsible for monitoring care.
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Q: Do I have any licensed child care options for my school-aged child?
A: Yes, both Family Day Homes and Programs for school-aged children
provide care for school-aged children up to the age of 13 years. Programs for school-aged children offer
care before school, at lunch time, after school and on professional days and school holidays. They are
licensed by Calgary and Area Child and Family Services and most are also approved by the City of Calgary. Eligible parents can access school-aged
child care subsidy in city-approved programs.
Q: How is a child care centre
licensed?
A: Child care centres must follow rigorous
guidelines in order to become licensed. View the Licensing
Guidelines (35KB PDF) in the Agencies section
of this Web site.
Q: How are Family Day Home agency contracts awarded?
A: Agencies must demonstrate that they can meet all standards for agency operation in the areas of provider approval, monitoring and support before they are offered a contract.
Presently, no new contracts are being considered.
Q: My child has a disability,
are there any programs targeted at special needs children
in child care?
A: Yes. The Supported
Child Care Program is targeted directly at special needs
children in child care.
Related Information
Links
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