Due to non-compliance with provincial standards, including inadequate supervision, Education and Childcare has put Happy House Daycare (South) on a probationary licence that will expire on July 30. Childcare Licensing is closely monitoring the program to ensure compliance with provincial standards. A safety plan is in place to ensure all children are adequately supervised.
Given significant safety concerns related to supervision of younger children, Child Care Licensing will also temporarily reduce the program’s licensed capacity by 98 spaces for up to six months, starting May 7. The program is responsible for working with families to decide which children will need alternative care. Childcare Connect is available to help those families find other licensed programs in the area. Happy House Daycare (South) will need to review its supervision policies, ensure staff are appropriately trained and demonstrate improvement before these spaces can be restored.
The licence holder is required to notify all parents of the probationary status and must provide evidence of that notification to the Ministry of Education and Childcare. Families looking for alternative child-care options can contact Childcare Connect at 1-844-644-5165 or use the online Child Care Lookup tool.
Anyone with concerns about a child-care program can call Childcare Connect toll-free at 1-844-644-5165.
Probationary licences
If a licensed child-care program is unable to meet the standards set out by Alberta’s government, it can be subject to enforcement action, including suspension of its licence and issuance of a probationary licence. Further enforcement action, including cancellation of a licence, can occur if the level of risk continues or escalates. Education and Childcare may also issue administrative penalties for any violation of provincial legislation and regulations.
If the licensed child-care program is unable to return to compliance during the probationary period, the suspended licence expires and is not reinstated.
Quick facts
- If Happy House Daycare (South) is unable to return to compliance with provincial standards before the probationary period ends on July 30, its licence will not be reinstated.
- The six-month capacity reduction is a separate enforcement action from the three-month probationary licence.
- Even if the licence is reinstated, the six-month capacity reduction could be extended beyond Nov. 6 if the program has not demonstrated sufficient improvement.
- The licensing team will use a phased approach to restoring spaces to make sure the program can safely handle caring for additional children.
- Alberta’s government monitors child-care programs to ensure safety and compliance with the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulation. This includes making decisions regarding a child-care program or agency's licence, including probationary orders, suspensions, cancellations or administrative penalties.
- A child-care provider who disagrees with a licensing decision has 30 days to file an appeal.
- Alternative child-care options can be found online through the Child Care Lookup Tool.