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The government of Alberta says it’s taking steps to strengthen legislation governing the province’s child care sector.
Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones says the legislative amendments, tabled in the legislature Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 30, 2024) will increase accountability and transparency, address workforce challenges and enhance health, safety and quality in child care.
While the changes to the Early Learning and Child Care Act are being described as a “good first step,” the parents Global News spoke with said they don’t go far enough.
Among the changes:
- allow for public posting of all stop orders for unlicensed providers.
- allowing the government to issue a probationary licence;
- requiring them to comply with all applicable zoning, health and safety legislation;
- allowing certified 16 and 17-year-olds to work under adult supervision;
- allow for public posting of all stop orders for unlicensed providers.
Jen Wolfsmith, whose 21-month-old daughter, Mckenzy, died in May 2012, while in the care of a private day-home operator in Calgary, welcomed the changes announced Wednesday, but said they don’t go far enough.
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The changes to the act were initiated following a number of recent concerns about the safety of daycares.
In August, three Calgary daycares were ordered to immediately shut down over concerns for child safety and in October an Edmonton daycare was ordered to cease operations.
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