Home Child Care   |
 The Region of Waterloo's licensed Home Child Care program has been providing early learning and childcare for children up to the age of 12 since its inception 30 years ago. Starting with 40 children in 1977, our Home Child Care program now cares for more than 1200 children in approximately 400 caregiver homes in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the townships!
Home Child Care is part of the Children's Services Division's vibrant, comprehensive system of early childhood education and care that supports the healthy growth and development of children in our community.
Home Child Care is licensed under the Day Nurseries Act, in the same way as childcare centres. The caregivers are independent contractors, who work from their homes to help children realize their full potential. They enjoy providing childcare in a family atmosphere and offer a program which includes crafts, toys games and field trips, making each day a stimulating one of varied activities.
Our program employs 19 caseworkers all of whom are Early Childhood Educators who have worked in a licensed environment for at least two years. They ensure that licensing criteria is being met and that caregivers are in compliance with the Regulations of the Day Nurseries Act and Regional policies. Their role is also one of mentoring, supporting and providing resources for the caregivers.
 Each caseworker oversees a geographical caseload which averages 25 caregivers and 60 to 100 children. They ensure quality childcare through interviewing families, determining their childcare needs and making appropriate referrals to caregiver homes. The caseworker position is multi-faceted and includes community involvement, developmental screening and referrals for special needs children, and recruiting new caregivers. Providing child care for children whose families are eligible for subsidy, the program can be available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Parents choose to use home childcare for many reasons. For parents, a home childcare may be close to their own home, work or school. In most cases, the family's children, regardless of ages may be cared for in the same home. Home childcare benefits parents who are working in employment with non traditional hours. Parents can often find a better cultural fit for their family with Home Child Care, and in some cases, the caregiver may be someone they already know. Home childcare offers benefits to children as well. Children receive quality attention in a nurturing environment, in the home of a caregiver who has been carefully selected by the Region's Home Child Care program.
 The smaller adult to child ratio means children often get more individual attention. The home offers a family atmosphere, where learning can happen in a less structured way. Family activities often become ‘teachable moments’. This flexibility enables the caregiver to “follow the child” and to take their lead in planning activities. The caregivers in our program come from diverse backgrounds. Many have their own families and prefer to work at home while their children are young. We also have caregivers who are qualified Early Childhood Educators. We can often match a family with a caregiver in their own neighbourhood or from their own cultural background if that is what they request. Throughout the year, caregivers are offered a variety of educational opportunities. We host a yearly conference, as well as Saturday and evening workshops, and special interest events. We also offer neighbourhood playgroups where caregivers have a chance to network and children can socialize.
The Region’s Home Child Care Program encourages caregivers to participate in quality initiatives. A number of caregivers now use a self assessment tool called “I Care For Kids I Care For Quality” which helps them assess their childcare environment and ensure that they are offering the best possible program for the children. The Home Child Care program, as an agency is also taking part in a province wide quality initiative, Raising the Bar on Quality, and has achieved the first level of excellence.
Home child caregivers contracting with the Region of Waterloo Children’s Services have the advantage of ongoing support from an Early Childhood Educator and a network dedicated to helping their business grow. This support is often one of the most significant reasons caregivers continue to contract with us. You Are Not Alone is a video made to help recruit new caregivers and features caregivers currently in the program.
For more information about the Region’s Home Child Care program, please call 519 883-2220, or email JoAnn Gillan, gjoann@region.waterloo.on.ca.
For more information on the Region of Waterloo Home Child Care program please select from options listed below.
 What is Licensed Home Child Care? |
 Frequently Asked Questions by Parents
Q. Why would I choose home child care instead of a child care centre?
A. There are a lot of reasons to choose Home Child Care. Your working or school hours may not fit a child care centre’s schedule and Home Child Care can be available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Q. What difference does it make if a home child care program is Licensed?
A. Licensed home child care programs must comply with regulations set out under the Day Nurseries Act, which ensures that homes are safe, stimulating and not crowded with too many children. Licensing also means that your caregiver has been carefully selected. The caregiver has had a reference check completed by Family & Children’s Services as well as a criminal reference check and a home safety inspection. All caregivers also have certified First Aid training. Our staff visits the caregiver’s home each month making scheduled and unscheduled visits to offer caregivers ongoing support.
Q. What will my child do all day?
A. Home child caregivers plan a program of activities suited for the ages of the children in their homes including creative activities, field trips, out door time, and quiet time.
Q. How do I know that I will have a caregiver best suited to my family?
A. Your Home Child Care caseworker will meet with you and together you can decide the home child care setting you prefer. Chances are there is a caregiver right in your own neighborhood !!
Click on the image below to view a pdf file of the brochure.
 | Click on the image below to view a pdf of the Parent Handbook.
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For more information click on: gjoann@region.waterloo.on.ca in Waterloo or hkathy@region.waterloo.on.ca in Cambridge.
Or Call 519-740-5760 in Cambridge or 519-883-2220 in Kitchener/Waterloo.
How is Quality Monitored and Maintained in Home Child Care?
Home Child Care Rates
The following are the rates paid to home child caregivers per child / per day:
| Under 2 hours | $ 10.00 |
| 2 to 4 hours | $ 14.00 |
| 4 to 7 hours | $ 21.00 |
| 7 to 9 hours | $ 28.50 |
| 9 to 12 hours | $ 31.00 |
| 12 to15 hours | $ 34.00 |
| 15 to 18 hours* | $ 50.00 |
| 18 to 23 hours* | $ 70.00 |
*Over 15 hour rates cannot be combined with Evening/Early Morning Supplements
The following supplements are paid in addition to the above rates:
| Handicapped Resource Rates | $ 6.00/day |
| Weekday Early Mornings and Evenings (After 6:00 pm/Before 7:00 am) | $ 1.50/day |
| Weekend Care (Between Midnight Friday and Midnight Sunday) | $ 3.00/day |
Please NOTE: All rates listed are subject to change. To ensure you have accurate information, please contact the Home Child Care office at 519-883-2220.
Frequently Asked Questions About Being A Home Child Caregiver with a Licensed Agency
| Click on the image below to view a pdf file of the brochure. | Click on the image below to view a pdf file of the Caregiver Resource Manual |
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For information on Home Child Care Happenings click here.
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For more information click on:
www.ontarioearlyyears.ca
www.parentguide.ca
www.ndsa.on.ca
www.hccao.com |
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