Alberta childcare facilities are now required to post on-site notices within one business day after a high-risk incident is reported at their programs, the provincial government announced. The new measure, effective June 1, aims to keep parents informed about potential safety concerns at licensed child-care centers.
New Disclosure Requirements
Under the updated policy, all licensed child-care facilities must display a notice in a highly visible area within one business day following the reporting of a potentially criminal incident. The same information, including the program name and the date the incident was reported, will also be posted on the government of Alberta's website.
Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides emphasized the importance of transparency. "We heard loud and clear that more needed to be done," Nicolaides said in an interview with Postmedia. "We're still exploring if there's even more that we can do, because as someone who's availed themselves of child care in the past, I know how important it is to make sure that parents are kept in the loop as much as possible."
Exploring Further Measures
Nicolaides noted that the government is considering more permanent solutions that may require legislative changes. Currently, operators are not obligated to post incident notices on their websites or notify parents directly via phone or email, but the province is actively exploring these options. He stated that the current measure is sufficient for now, given the existing robust processes and procedures, including licensing requirements.
Probationary License Issued
On Wednesday, the province issued a probationary license to Fit Kids Care in Calgary due to ongoing non-compliance issues, including inadequate supervision, failure to report incidents, and improper child guidance. The probationary license will expire on September 2, and the province is closely monitoring the program to ensure compliance with provincial standards. A safety plan is in place to protect children at the site, and the facility must notify all parents of its probationary status, providing evidence of notification to the Ministry of Education and Childcare.
Reactions from Opposition
Alberta NDP child and family services critic Diana Batten welcomed the change as a step in the right direction but called for further action by the UCP government to strengthen safety and transparency. "We recognize that most child care providers in Alberta meet or exceed strong quality standards. However, when issues do arise, it is important that children are protected and that parents receive clear and timely information," Batten said.
