Home Child Care Development Program Aims to Support Child Care Space Shortage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2021

SPOKESPERSON: Glen McNeil, Warden 519.524.8394 x3224 warden@huroncounty.ca 

Home Child Care Development Program Aims to Support Child Care Space Shortage

Huron County, Ontario – Starting June 1, 2021 the County of Huron will be hosting online information sessions for individuals interested in becoming approved home child care operators under the County's Licensed Home Child Care program.

“We are aware of the high demand for child care spots across Huron County and we are actively seeking new home based providers, particularly in the North Huron, Howick, and South Huron areas,” states Diane Millian, Supervisor of Huron County Children's Services. “This program aims to streamline the approval process and provide individuals with the support and resources they need to start being a home child care provider.”

The program, led by a partnership between Huron County Children's Services and Huron County Economic Development, consists of 2 sessions. The first session is a general information session that includes a description of how Licensed Home Child Care is delivered and regulated. The second session is intended for serious applicants to learn more about running their child care operation as a business. Ongoing support and guidance for participants is provided after the sessions by Children’s Services and small business support staff.

“The process to become a Licensed Home Child Care provider can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months, so this intake period is ideal for anyone looking to start accepting children this September,” explains Millian.

Millian describes that there were limited licensed home child care options before the COVID-19 pandemic began and noted that the pandemic has only increased the need for home child care settings, as parents are looking for smaller group sizes for their children. This program was developed to encourage the opening of more childcare spaces within Huron County and now provides a new opportunity for interested individuals.

“This program is aimed for those looking to earn an income while working from home,” says Patrick Donnelly, Entrepreneur and Business Coach with Huron County Economic Development. “It provides a promising self-employment opportunity and we can help people through their start-up journey.”

Donnelly added that stay-at-home parents, parents looking for more flexibility, recent grads looking for experience in Early Child Education and retirees looking to fill spare time are examples of great candidates for the program.

The Home Child Care Development Program was launched in November 2020 and has offered 2 intakes of the program to date. These sessions will continue to run several times a year with the goal of eventually filling Huron County's quota of available licenses for approved home child care centres.

For more information about the Home Child Care Development Program, register for the General Information Session being held virtually on June 1, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. To register, please visit https://home-child-care-general-info-session.eventbrite.ca/.

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The County of Huron asks the community to continue respecting all public health guidelines, including performing hand hygiene, practicing physical distancing, and wearing masks. Stay informed on the COVID-19 situation in Huron County by visiting the Huron-Perth Public Health website.