Summary#
Bill No. 12 would create a new mode of educational childcare services "in the community." These services would be provided by recognized self-employed workers, in a location that is not a private residence.
The bill would:
- expand the role of coordinating offices, which would supervise family and community childcare services;
- establish the conditions for the recognition of community childcare providers;
- allow one person to care for up to six children, with no more than two under 18 months old;
- allow up to nine children if another adult assists, with no more than four under 18 months old;
- allow two providers to work together with a maximum of 12 children, with no more than four under 18 months old;
- require a collaboration agreement between two providers working in the same location;
- provide for safety measures, including the power to order the evacuation of a location posing a serious risk to children;
- give community providers access to the same collective representation and collective bargaining agreements as family providers;
- regulate the transition with the pilot project for community and business childcare services.
Recognitions would be granted for five years. They could be renewed, suspended, or revoked according to rules to be established by regulation.
What This Means for You#
If you are a parent:
- You could have access to childcare spaces in locations other than private residences.
- Two providers could offer services together in the same location.
- Your childcare agreement should specify which provider is the primary one for your child.
- Providers and the individuals assisting them would be subject to legally mandated background checks.
- The coordinating office could order the evacuation of the location if the health, safety, or well-being of the children is seriously threatened.
The bill does not specify, on its own, the number of new spaces that would be created or the fees charged to parents. Several details would depend on future regulations.
If you are already providing community childcare under the pilot project:
- Your recognition would remain governed by the rules of the pilot project until the transition to the new system.
- The coordinating office would need to verify if your situation complies with the new rules.
- The minister could extend the pilot project by up to 18 months to facilitate the transition.
If you wish to become a community childcare provider:
- You must be a natural person and a self-employed worker.
- You must provide services in a non-residential location designated for childcare activities during service hours.
- The location must meet applicable standards and be deemed safe by the coordinating office.
- You could work alone, with an adult assisting you, or with another recognized person.
Costs#
No publicly available information.
The bill does not set the rates paid by parents or the funding provided to providers. It also does not provide an estimate of costs for the government, coordinating offices, or childcare providers.
However, costs may be associated with the setup and compliance with the standards of childcare locations. The specific terms would depend on regulations and the government's budgetary decisions.
Supporters' Viewpoint#
Supporters might argue that the bill:
- adds a form of care outside of private residences;
- can help create more spaces, particularly in community facilities or other suitable locations;
- offers a permanent structure after a pilot project;
- allows two providers to share the same location and accommodate more children;
- maintains the supervision of coordinating offices;
- strengthens child protection mechanisms and intervention powers in case of danger;
- recognizes community providers' access to collective representation and collective bargaining agreements.
Opponents' Viewpoint#
Opponents might raise several concerns:
- The detailed standards will largely be established later by regulation, limiting predictability at the time of adoption.
- It is not guaranteed that the bill will quickly create a significant number of new spaces.
- Caring for a maximum of 12 children with two providers could raise concerns about supervision and service quality, even if rules are in place.
- Collaboration between two providers could lead to complex shared responsibilities for parents and coordinating offices.
- The costs of setting up and operating non-residential facilities could make this model difficult to implement in some communities.
- The transition from the pilot project to the permanent system could create uncertainty for providers already in operation.