Start early. Choosing child care is an important decision, and there are a limited number of licensed infant spaces across PEI. Many families begin their search for child care before their child has even arrived! This decision must be made with you and your child's needs in mind. Important factors to consider include:

• Type of centre (early years centres, private centres, family home care, family resource centres, preschools, after school programs) Licensed child care centres are licensed, monitored and regulated by the Early Learning and Child Care Board and therefore must meet basic requirements as outlined in the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations, such as staffing requirements, health and safety, daily program schedule, nutrition and administration.
• Time of care (half or full-day, full or part-week, extended hours of operation)
• Location (close to your home or workplace)
• Centre policies (rates for service, holiday and PD closures, late pick-ups, allergy restrictions, sick days)
• and other factors such as accessibility, staff certification requirements, communication styles, and a program that compliments your own views and beliefs on early childhood education.

After considering your family’s needs, it is a good idea to visit a number of potential centres to meet the director, to view the space, and to go over the centre’s policies. The ECDA, in partnership with the Early Childhood Care and Education Network, has published a booklet entitled A Parent's Guide to Quality Child Care on PEI. This guide is intended to assist parents in their search for quality child care.

The ECDA is also pleased to encourage families to visit the online Early Learning and Child Care Registry to learn about the licensed centres in your area, and to register for centre wait lists that meet your needs. Find out more about the PEI Early Learning and Child Care Registry here.