Did you know that home-based family child care offers early learning and care that is essential to healthy child development and our local economy?
Licensed and registered-license-not-required (RLNR) family child care providers are small business operators in a highly regulated field.
The Coast’s family child care providers would like everyone to know that they are more than just baby-sitters. They are trained caregivers who must meet both provincial and municipal requirements including education, first aid training, criminal record checks and home inspections.
Child care providers also continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills with attendance at workshops and conferences.
Family care providers invest in their businesses by purchasing safety-approved equipment, toys and other essential tools. Sometimes home renovations may be needed. This can lead to a large investment that is not easy to recoup. Provincial regulations ensure appropriate caregiver-child ratios and the provider’s own children are included in the numbers. Their business models can’t be simply “scaled-up” to make a profit. For many providers, fees barely cover operating costs and provide only a basic income.
Family care providers choose this profession because they are motivated by their regard for children. They enjoy what they do and work hard to ensure the best possible start for children. They open their homes to families and form close, caring relationships with the children in their care. While many children thrive in larger group centres, family child care has some unique advantages such as smaller, more intimate settings, closer relationships with families and more flexibility in meeting the needs of families.
What can you do to help? Start by recognizing and valuing the important work of our community’s family child care providers. Most work long hours, often without the support of other adults, as they welcome children into their homes each day. They support, guide and enrich children’s lives during their most significant development phase in life. The work of child care providers contributes to the well- being of children, families and our local economy.
For assistance in finding and choosing child care, contact the Sunshine Coast Child Care Resource and Referral Program at 604-885-5657, 604-886-3103 or coastccrr.ca
