Fortin revises Bill 143 on daycare after criticism

Non-regulated daycare centres will be able to offer care to six children per adult, not four, as was originally planned under Bill 143. Following a consultation tour marked by several protests, Quebec Minister of Family and Sherbrooke MNA Luc Fortin amended the proposal adopted Friday in the National Assembly.

The issue that caused most resentment in the Bill’s first draft was that of child-caregiver ratios. Formerly, an unregulated child care centre would have had to respect a ratio of six children under 9 years of age per adult , excluding those of the proprietor. Reducing that ratio to four children, including those of the owner, would have forced many to close, opponents argued.

Finally, the government decided on a proposal of six children per adult, including their own and a maximum of two infants, the same ratio as for regulated providers.

As Fortin had announced a few weeks ago, he was willing to offer some concessions with unregulated care centres in exchange for a relaxation in ratios.

As a result, these providers must submit to a criminal record check, hold a certificate in first aid for early childhood, have a liability insurance that extends to the service, and have parents sign a notice specifying that an unregulated provider is not recognized by the Department of the Family, and that there is no government evaluation of its services.

"That way, parents can make an informed choice, Fortin said. “A fundamental principle when people choose their day care is the relationship of trust with the educator, and parents are in the best position to know what is good for their child. We must offer them this range of choices,” Fortin stated.

Bill 143 also brings many changes to the regulated daycare community, including an obligation to follow the Ministry’s educational program - or one deemed equivalent - and the maintenance of a standardized file on the development of each child.