Parents looking for short-term child care during the three-day teachers' job action beginning Monday at B.C. schools should steer clear of on-line classifieds and do their homework before signing up a caregiver.
The Better Business Bureau expects online classifieds to be flooded with parents looking for emergency child care. But even with the short notice, and parents requiring certainty, the BBB cautions against making hasty decisions.
"The risk of going online is that you could be contacting a person who has not been vetted as a responsible and competent professional and they may not be right for your child." says Lynda Pasacreta, BBB president and CEO.
"In some cases the person with the ad may even be a scammer out to collect a deposit from parents under pressure."
Schools, including those in School District 43, are expected to remain open during the job action to protest government legislation. Administrators, non-union staff and some unionized Special Education Assistants may be at the schools, but there will be no instruction and supervision will be limited. For these reasons, SD43 is asking parents to keep their children at home or make other arrangements.
However, before and after school care and Strong Start pre-school programs will still be operating as usual during those days.
If parents are having difficulties finding emergency care, the BBB offers the following tips:
If this is a short term child care, look at child care professionals including nanny services which can be found on the BBB website.
Recommendations from family or friends can be helpful, and government agencies or industry organizations also can be a source of information. The B.C. Child Care Resource and Referral Program (www.childcarechoices.ca) helps parents find child care and provides information on child care subsidies. However, it is ultimately up to parents to find care that is appropriate for their children.
To access further information on child care programs contact the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development Child Care Help Line in Greater Victoria at (250) 356-6501 or elsewhere in BC toll-free at 1 (888) 338-6622.
If you are checking an online classified like Craigslist ask questions about how long the person has provided child care; ask if they are licensed; find out where the facility/home is located (this way you can cross reference the name and address with the phone listing); and remember to never wire or send a certified cheque or money order for a deposit.
Before committing to a child care provider, do the following:
Visit several facilities or caregivers, and find out how staff are selected and what their credentials are. What is the staff-to-child ratio? How are children grouped (ie. by age or stage of development)?
Ask whether the facility is and whether it carries appropriate liability insurance.
Ask about safety procedures and how an accident might be handled.
Make sure the centre or day care home is clean, with enough space for children to play and adequate safety equipment.
Call at least three parents whose children are enrolled with the provider to discuss their experiences.
