Several factors may need to be considered, including proximity to the home and /or work, cost, environment, child’s needs, and quality of care. To help you find the right child care option for you and your family, we’re here to assist you.
Licensed Childcare
Childcare centers
Licensed center-based programs include:
- daycare
- out-of-school care
- preschool
The government of Manitoba works collaboratively with licensed facility-based programs by monitoring and inspecting their centres to ensure they are meeting health, safety and program quality standards for children in their care.
The Community Child Care Standards Act and its regulations apply to all licensed child care facilities in Manitoba
Childcare Homes
Licensed home-based programs include:
- family childcare homes
- group childcare homes
Family child care is licensed care offered in a home for up to eight children under age 12. No more than five of the children can be under the age of six, and no more than three may be less than two years of age. This includes the provider’s own children.
Unlicensed Childcare
Private home child care providers care for children in their home.
In Manitoba, a person can provide private home child care without a provincial licence, to a maximum of four children under the age of 12. Only two of these children can be under age 2. These numbers include the care provider’s own children and any other children living in the home.
Providers will provide opportunities for your child to:
- Learn and develop new skills and interests
- Take part in a supportive, caring and encouraging environment
- Allow for children to make choices that are valued
- Build self-confidence, a positive identity and social skills
- Allow for flexibility and responsive changes in the children’s abilities, interest and skills
Some things to look for in an unlicensed child care home:
- Is the home following the law by only caring for the maximum number of children allowed?
- Does the home appear to be safe, clean and inviting?
- Does the home have emergency exits and basic safety devices such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers?
- Does the provider and others who live in the home have Criminal Records Checks and Child Abuse Registry Checks available for you to see?
- Does the provider have any special training for working with children?
- Is the provider certified in CPR and First Aid?
- Does the provider interact with children in a positive way?
- Is there a good supply and variety of toys and equipment?
- Are the toys, equipment and play spaces (indoor and outdoor) safe and in good condition?
- Are parents welcomed into the home and allowed inside when they drop off and pick up their children?
- Does the provider encourage parents to visit their child at any time?
- If snacks or meals are served, is there a menu plan available to see and is the food nutritious?
Unlicensed Childcare Programs
Some care arrangements are not licensed. A person can provide private home child care without a licence, as long as they do not have for more than four children under the age of 12 in their care, including no more than two children under the age of two. These numbers include the caregiver’s own children.