Family Child Care Agencies

 

What is a licensed Family Child Care Agency?

A licensed Family Child Care Agency is an organization that holds an Agency licence to issue approval certificates to affiliated child care service providers (family home child care service providers).  Agencies:

  • are licensed by the Early Learning and Child Development Division of the Department of Education;
  • Approve family home child care service providers in accordance with legislation;
  • Monitor family home child care service providers it approves in accordance with legislation;
  • Provide supports to the family homes child care service providers it approves; and
  • Appoint monitors (home visitors) to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions conferred to them by the legislation.

Each family home child care service provider approved by the Agency remains a self-employed individual. Child care arrangements are based on the agreement reached between the child care service provider and the parent.

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How does the Agency screen, monitor and support approved family child care homes?

  • By home visits and security checks on the family home child care service provider and residents age 16 years and over to ensure they meet legislation.
  • By Agency monitors (home visitors) monitoring the service on an monthly basis to ensure that the:
    • family home continues to be safe and healthy;
    • family child care program is appropriate for the children; and
    • family home child care service provider is meeting the legislative requirements.
  • By providing support via:
    • home visits to provide resources; and
    • access to workshops/courses.

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How does an organization pursue a licence as a family child care agency?

If the organization seeking a licence is an incorporated, not-for-profit group, the first step is to request a licensing package from the regional Early Learning and Child Development Office. This package contains an application form and a list of required information and documentation to be submitted with the application.

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What is the process to operate a licensed Family Child Care Agency?

Interested organizations can apply to operate a licensed Family Child Care Agency by contacting the regional Early Learning and Child Development Division of the Department of Education in the area where their organization is located.

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Contact Information

For more information about child care in this province contact a regional office near you:

 https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/department/contact/#childcare

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