F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is Licensed-Not-Required (L.N.R.) Family Child Care and what are the differences between Licensed-Not-Required or Licensed Care? 

In British Columbia, there are two basic child care categories:  Licensed and License-Not-Required (LNR), also known as informal child care.

Whether or not a child care program needs a license depends primarily on how many children a caregiver is looking after. BC law says that caregivers who look after more than two children not related to them must have a license.

• Most License-Not-Required (LNR) Child Care arrangements include the caregiver’s own children and one or two children not related to the caregiver.  LNR caregivers may or may not have had formal child care training or previous child care experience. Caregivers set their

own hours of operation, fee schedules and operating policies.  Parents are solely responsible for supervising and monitoring the quality of care provided in license-not-required child care 

arrangements.

LNR Child Care Providers are encouraged – but not required – to register with their local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) program.  Registration means these caregivers have met a number of important requirements, including:

• a criminal record check (for everyone over age 12 living in the home);

• character references;

• a home-setting review;

• a physician’s report on their physical and emotional capacity to care for children;

• first aid training; and

• participation in child care training courses or workshops.

It also means they have access to caregiver group liability insurance through the CCRR

• Licensed child care programs must meet the requirements of the Community Care Facility Act and the Child Care Licensing Regulation.  Operators of licensed child care facilities must comply with certain regulations which are administered by the Ministry of Health Planning.  Licensing Officers investigate complaints and monitor licensed child care programs to ensure they continue to meet program standards. 

**Above information from "Parents' Guide to Selecting Child Care - Selecting and Monitoring of Licensed and License-not-required Child Care - COM 014 Rev.2003/02/25" 

For more information about your child care options in B.C. please go to: 

• Parents' Guide to Selecting Child Care  

          http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/pdfs/com014.pdf

• Choosing Child Care (Healthlink BC)

          http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbase/topic/special/aa43308/sec1.htm

•  Am I required to leave a deposit?

Yes.  The Parent must pay a 50% deposit of the monthly fee, upon registration to hold your

child(ren)’s space at A Tiny Seed Child Care.  This amount is not refundable in the

event of cancellation of this space.  This fee will be applied to the last month’s fee,

when proper notice is given to withdraw the child(ren) from the family childcare.

*** The child(ren)’s first day will not start until A Tiny Seed Child Care has been paid

for the month or until A Tiny Seed Child Care has received the subsidy

authorization number for the child(ren). ***

•  What is A Tiny Seed Child Care's NOTICE Policy?

One month’s written notice is to be given on the first day of the month prior to the child(ren) ending care.  The full fee is due regardless of attendance.  In lieu of one month’s written notice, the parent will pay one month’s fee.

Yes.  There will be a Probationary Period of 1 month, at the end of which both parties will

decide if A Tiny Seed Child Care is suitable for your child(ren), this will include, but not limited

to if the child is unable to adapt or adjust within the first month or if the child has, in the

Caregiver’s opinion, social, emotional or physical needs that she is unable to provide for. 

During the Probation Period only one weeks notice is required by either the Parent(s)

or the Caregiver.  If it is deemed necessary, by either the Parent(s) or the Caregiver that

the child(ren) discontinues care during this Probationary Period, the deposit will be returned

and a portion (to be determined by the Caregiver) of the monthly fee refunded in this instance.

• What is A Tiny Seed Child Care's Policy when the Child(ren) go on vacation?

 The parent(s) will provide written notification for any extended absence, such as a Parent / Child’s vacation.  In order to retain your childcare space, the full month’s Fee is due.  

• What is A Tiny Seed Child Care's procedure in the event the Caregiver is ill or has a personal emergency?

If the Caregiver is ill or a personal emergency arises, the Caregiver will make alternate arrangements to have a substitute work in the family childcare.  This will usually be my

husband.  There will be no rebate of fees in the event that the Caregiver is absent due to illness or personal emergency and the family childcare is still in operation with a substitute.  If a substitute is not available it will be the parent(s) responsibility to find alternate care.  (Every effort will be made for the substitute to have met the parents and child prior to use.)

© A Tiny Seed Child Care.  All rights Reserved.

 335 Seaview Drive, Port Moody, BC, V3H 1P1 | tel. 604-837-5607

Contact Us:  tinyseed@telus.net