common practices
Each dayhome business typically has their own policies and procedures that make them unique. The following can vary greatly from one dayhome to another so be sure to look through their parent handbook and contract to see how your dayhome provider operates.
Topic Last Updated: September 2022
HOURS
Each dayhome business sets their own hours of operation with most dayhomes covering a minimum of 10 hours per day to accommodate parent travel time and an 8 hour work day.
Common dayhome hours are typically between…
VACATION & SICK DAYS (PROVIDERS)
Just like any working person, dayhome providers will occasionally need time off to recharge and rejuvenate themselves or to recover from illness. Many dayhome providers will work vacation time and sick days into their dayhome contract.
For vacations, there is typically plenty of notice given so that alternate arrangements can be made.
However, when it comes to illness or emergencies, sometimes a provider will…
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Dayhome providers typically observe all statutory holidays and your dayhome will likely be closed so they can spend time with their families. These holiday days are not…
VACATIONS & SICK DAYS (CHILDREN)
From time to time your child may experience illness while in child care. It is important to understand that if your child attends full time or even part time and you pay a set monthly rate, there will likely be…
RATES
Dayhome rates vary wildly across the province.
Dayhomes located in the larger cities typically charge between…
Backup Care
One of the very few disadvantages to dayhome care is that there is only one provider. This can become tricky when your provider needs to close for illness or when they take their vacation time.
As a parent utilizing dayhome care, it would be wise to…
Deposits
Most dayhome providers have a deposit policy that helps protect both parent and provider in the event that a termination occurs. For providers – a deposit helps protect them if a parent were to terminate care without proper notice or if fees go unpaid. For parents – a deposit can help secure a child care spot and can make it less likely that a provider would back out of a child care agreement before the first day of care.
Typically a dayhome deposit will be…
DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER
Managing a group of children can be challenging during inclement weather. With that in mind, providers need children to arrive each day with the appropriate clothing for the weather. Some dayhomes…
SCREEN TIME
Being screen free or screen friendly is typically a personal conviction held by your dayhome provider. Some dayhomes are…
FIELD TRIPS
Your dayhome provider may take the occasional field trip from time to time. Typically the provider will pay for…
HOLIDAYS CELEBRATED
Ensuring that children are connected to their culture should be an important priority for your dayhome provider. With this in mind, your provider may ask you…
ILLNESS POLICY
Keeping illnesses under control in a small family dayhome setting is challenging. This is why your dayhome provider will likely have a robust illness policy that they follow when…
INCIDENTS
Incidents aren’t something that you want to be dealing with frequently but they do happen occasionally and it’s a completely normal part of having your children in care. When it comes to incidents, the most important thing is that your provider…
Payments
In a private dayhome, child care payments are typically due on either the last day of the month for the next months care OR on the first of the month for that month. Either way, child care fees are usually due prior to care being provided. This helps ensure that your provider is paid for the work they have committed to for the month and your child care spot is secure.
Licensed providers may have different payment schedules depending on the agency they are with. It’s best to discuss payment policies with your provider or the agency.
Late Payments (private dayhome):
PETS
Many families have pets and that includes dayhome providers. You’ll want to ask your provider what kinds of pets they have and how they are with children. Some questions to ask may be:
RECEIPTS
All dayhome providers should be declaring their income and issuing receipts. You can use these receipts as a tax write off on your personal income taxes. If receipts are not provided monthly, a yearly summary will be provided no later than…
late pickups & early drop offs
Most providers understand that situations happen that are out of our control and sometimes a parent might be late picking up. If this happens very seldom it is not likely to create an issue with your dayhome provider. However, if a family is constantly picking up late without communicating with their provider this can lead to…
MEALS
Meal time can be a very special time at dayhome for your child – but it can also be stressful and challenging for your provider. Trying to feed a group of young children can be tricky and your provider may have some policies in place to help make life easier for everyone involved. Your provider may…
ALLERGIES
Allergies are becoming more and more common with young children. You’ll want to speak with any potential dayhome providers about their allergy policy to see…
MEDICAL & DENTAL EMERGENCIES
You never want to get a call that your child was taken to hospital by ambulance while at dayhome but it’s still best to be prepared in the event that an emergency occurs. Many dayhome providers will have you sign an…
GUIDANCE
Child guidance, otherwise known as discipline, is a tricky topic for child care programs. Overall, your child care provider should never…
Emergency plan
Each dayhome provider should have a written emergency plan for their program. This plan should be easily accessible and available for you to view. It should address different evacuation scenarios like…
NAP TIME
Nap time is an important part of the day for both your provider and your child. Even older children can benefit greatly from a scheduled period of quiet time during the day and it gives your provider a very important block of time to take a break and even eat some lunch. Your provider will be able to discuss their nap time routine with you and will give you…
MEDICATIONS
From time to time you may need your provider to administer medication to your child at dayhome. Your provider will likely require you to fill out a Medication Administration form and they should also keep track of each dose given at dayhome. For prescription drugs…
TRIAL PERIOD
Many dayhome programs have a trial period policy in place to help ensure a right fit when a family starts care. This policy typically states…
TRANSPORTATION
Some dayhome providers may choose to transport dayhome kids in their vehicle from time to time. It’s important to ask your provider if they transport regularly (like daily school runs) or if they only transport occasionally (for field trips). In Alberta, anyone who transports children regularly and for pay is required to have…
Termination
Termination isn’t something that we want to anticipate but it does happen now and then and so it is something to be mindful of. Often times termination comes with many negative emotions and feelings – but it doesn’t need to. While a termination from a child care program due to behaviours or concerns can feel disheartening, the important thing to remember is that your provider is telling you that they are not the right fit for your child or that they do not have the skills and experience they feel they need to offer quality care. It’s important to support your provider in their decision to terminate – rather than pressure them to continue offering care to your child. And a termination from a child care program can be an incredible opportunity for you to find a better fit for your child while also ensuring that you are not putting your child at risk by continuing with a dayhome that has expressed a struggle or concern in caring for your child. If you are the one terminating…
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