Alberta to post on-site notices of serious child-care incidents
By Your Southwest Media Group
Licensed child-care facilities in Alberta will soon have to post notices about high-risk, potentially criminal incidents where parents can see them.
The rule takes effect June 1. Facilities must put up on-site notices within one business day of an incident being reported, or as soon as reasonably possible, in areas visible to parents. A matching notice will go on alberta.ca listing the program name and the date the incident was reported.
Families whose children are directly involved will still be notified by their child-care program, as they are now.
"The safety and well-being of children in child care is our highest priority," said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. "We've heard from parents that they want clearer, more timely information about serious incidents, and this change is an important first step."
Under the current system, providers only have to notify families when their own child is affected. The province says the new posting requirement is the first in a broader set of changes meant to strengthen transparency.
Alberta is also encouraging providers to post safety plans in visible areas. The plans are approved by Education and Childcare and set out the steps to follow after an incident.
The new process applies to licensed, facility-based providers, including daycare, preschool and out-of-school care. Family day home agencies remain responsible for closing homes after serious incidents, offering backup care and notifying families directly.
The licensing team will decide case by case whether an incident meets the threshold for notification, focusing on those involving possible harm to children, including allegations of abuse or neglect.
Incident-specific notices will come off alberta.ca after 90 days. The province says there is no added cost to implement the policy.
Anyone wishing to report an incident or concern can call the Childcare Connect contact centre toll-free at 1-844-644-5165.