Editor:
The care and experiences a child receives before entering school will have life-long effects on the outcome of the child.
Making the right child care choice is as (or more) important as the right post-secondary choice.
The care needs of families vary widely but the need for quality is always there.
Predictable routines in a safe and caring environment allow children to explore, learn and flourish.
Relationships between children, families and care providers are a critical component of quality care, licensed or not. B.C. child care regulations offer a variety of options regarding numbers and ages of children a single individual can care for.
Regulation does not dictate the hours or days of operation, nor does it dictate inflexible schedules for children.
As we have read over the past few weeks, there is no guarantee that there will be enough flexible registered or licensed child care spaces to accommodate all the needs of all families.
Often parents find private arrangements that will accommodate their scheduling needs.
When choosing care outside of what B.C. child care regulations allow, there is the chance that the unlicensed home will be reported and ordered to close.
The situation is devastating for both the care provider, who is forced to choose only a few children and the families, as they begin the search once again for child care.
As program coordinator for the Boundary Child Care Resource and Referral (BCCRR) program, I would welcome and encourage those who are providing quality care in their homes, along with those who would want to offer such a service, to consider either licensing or registration with the BCCRR. The benefits for parents, care providers and the community are worth it.
Louise Heck, Boundary Child Care Resource and Referral