Airdrie-Cochrane Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Minister of Infrastructure Peter Guthrie introduced legislation for Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones today that the province believes will strengthen childcare safety.
The amendments to the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Act aim to enhance child safety, increase accountability, and streamline enforcement in childcare settings across the province.
The proposed changes respond to growing calls for transparency and improved safety measures in child care, ensuring parents can trust that their children are receiving quality care.
Key changes
The new amendments, introduced under Bill 25, would expand the authority of Alberta’s statutory director, who oversees the licensing and monitoring of childcare programs. If passed, these changes would empower the director to:
- Cancel, refuse, or temporarily suspend licenses of non-compliant childcare providers.
- Impose probationary licenses, temporarily close parts of a childcare facility rather than the entire operation, and compel childcare providers to amend their program plans when necessary.
- Enforce compliance through new administrative penalties, aligning Alberta’s standards with other Canadian provinces.
The proposed amendments also require family day home agencies to notify parents about enforcement actions and mandate the public posting of information about non-compliant, unlicensed childcare providers.
Enhancing transparency for parents
One of the amendments' core focuses is to ensure parents have ready access to key information about the childcare providers they choose. Under the new rules, parents could view the certification status of early childhood educators and review stop orders issued to unlicensed providers.
This increased transparency is designed to help parents make informed choices and give them peace of mind that their children are in safe, regulated environments.
Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Trade, emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, "Albertans deserve to have confidence in their child-care system. Parents must know their children are safe when they go to work or school. The Early Learning and Child Care Amendment Act, 2024, would strengthen the tools available to enforce quality care and give parents peace that their government has their back."
Supporting health, safety, and food standards
The amendments would clarify that all childcare facilities must meet provincial zoning, health, and safety standards, as specified in the Public Health Act and the Safety Codes Act, in response to recommendations from the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel.
Dr. Lynn McMullen, a review panel member and food safety advocate, praised these measures, saying, "These changes prioritize the health and well-being of our children by strengthening the understanding of food safety and food handling requirements of child-care providers and regulators."
The province also continues to work closely with childcare providers, the federal government, and parents to support a mixed-market childcare system that accommodates the diverse needs of Alberta’s communities.
While these new measures will increase providers' accountability, Alberta’s government acknowledges that the vast majority of childcare providers consistently meet or exceed safety and quality standards. Most licensed providers will continue their operations unaffected, while the amendments focus on those who fail to meet the necessary standards.
Bernice Taylor, program manager at a local Early Childcare Development Centre, welcomed the changes.
"As an established child-care provider, parents in my community trust in me to provide quality care. I am more than happy to provide parents with every reassurance they need so they can go to work and know their kids are safe, healthy, and well taken care of."
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