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Huron Expositor, 2007-08-22, Page 9News Children's Services hope Seaforth gets on board to provide home childcare Susan Hundertmark aiMEMMO While the program has taken off in other areas of Huron County, Seaforth remains one of the few communities without licenced home childcare providers. And, staff at the Huron County Children's Services offices are hoping that an open house at the Seaforth library on Monday, Aug. 27 will inform both parents and potential providers of the services available. "There would be a definite advantage to have home providers in Seaforth," says the program's coordinator Valerie Watson. With 15 approved homes across Huron County, including Goderich, Clinton, Exeter and Huron Park, Seaforth has not yet taken advantage of the program which started in January, 2004. "There are lots of private child- care providers and a good daycare in Seaforth so there's less of a demand. But, we have had calls from the Seaforth area," says Watson, adding that it's possible few `people call for licenced home childcare because it doesn't exist yet in Seaforth. To become a licenced home -care provider you must be over 18, complete an application for assessment, pass the required health assessment and be immu- nized as required by the medical officer of health, have a criminal reference check, have premises approved by a home child-care supervisor and follow the regula- tions of the county and Ontario's Day Nurseries Act. And, while those requirements might seem daunting at first, Watson points out that once they're completed, they provide advantages to the providers. One advantage is that Watson visits each home provider twice a month to bring resources and give training on child-care programs since few of the providers are trained in Early Childhood Education. "You would always 6e learn- ing," she says. As well, since the county takes care of billing the parents, the providers only have to focus on "providing a warm atmosphere for the chil- dren." "This is much more professional than babysitting privately. We take it one step higher," says Watson. The benefits for parents include the ability to apply for provincial childcare subsidies, which are otherwise only offered at daycare centres. "If a young family moves to the area and doesn't know any of the childcare providers, they'll know a licenced home provider has been approved and is regulated and that gives a sense of comfort," adds Evy McDonagh, Huron County children services manag- er. McDonagh says the ideal homes to provide licenced home care are not dependent on the income but are run by parents who want to stay home to raise their own kids and are looking for a supplemen- tary income. In those cases, the providers can last the two or three months it might take to fill the enrolment.. up to the maximum of five. "If they're willing to wait it out, they can make a good income," says McDonagh. With a maximum of five chil- dren in care - with the five includ- ing the providers' own children under the age of six - a provider can earn up to $125 a day. More income can be earned by offering childcare in the evenings and on weekends. Watson says because licenced home childcare can provide care for babies and overnight care, they are ideal situations for par- ents who have shiftwork. With four or five licenced home childcare providers in Clinton, Watson says she's hoping for the same number in Seaforth. "Five wonderful homes in Seaforth would be a beautiful thing," she says. ICeaLifS: FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH 519-527-0120 EXETER 519-235-2121 www.teamvtncent.com 46, CASE 11/ wiscai4. 4.+:4.. r ni€ti43b iluip Nw3 F:. The Huron Expositor • August 22, 2007 Page 9 SEAFORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY PRESENTS Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday SEPT. 6, 7, 8, & 9 Bring your friends! Bring your family! • Parade • Rides • Displays • Competitions and more! Thursday, SEPT. 6 • • • Exhibits registration 9.12pm • Homecraft • School • Grain • Judging of exhibits & Perth -Huron Jersey Show 12pm 1 1541 Thurs.. Fri.. & Sat.: FREE o admission with donation to local food bank or support for the fair Le Sunday: adults $5 children 12 & under $2 Sunday, SEPT. 9 Friday, SEPT. 7 • PARADE 10:30am THEME: BEEF IT UP! • AMB/\SSADOR'S DINNER 5:30pm at the Agri Plex Advance tickets only before Sept. 6 from office $2Opp • Ambassador of the Fair 7:30pm Saturday, SEPT. 8 • PET SHOW 10:30pm • BABY SHOW 12:30pm • MINIATURE HORSE SHOW 1pm • JUNIOR AMBASSADOR 1:30pm • EXHIBITOR'S STEAK BBQ $16pp 4:30-6pm Advanced tickets only before Sept. 6 from office • BX93 'Video Dance AgriP1ex - 9pm AGE OF MAJORITY Admission: adults $5, children 12 & under $2 • Midway in operation "Ride All Day" deal available • NEW LAWN MOWER TRACTOR PULL 2pm Entries call 519-527.2272 or Ag. office �RY ° AY • Commercial Exhibits • Homecr��h Fits • Old McD • Livestock • School Exhibits • Entertainment/Y. �_�' Penn Sale 000 • Midway ,€ • Food Booth WATCH FOR C SCHEDULE NEXT WEEK! 'Anyone Requiring COMMERCIAL SPACE Inside or Outside the AgrIplex Cal! 527-1321 or Fax 527-0983. Fair Tags, Entry Forms & Dinner Tickets available at the Fair Office noon -spm or Tremeer Cori►mercial Printers. .M, Afezzimeffieidg t4 -r