EXCERPTS
Alberta parents now have online access to summaries of inspection reports for all licensed child care programs and contracted family day home agencies. Additional improvements have also been made to the online tool that helps parents search for quality child care programs.
"Offering information online gives parents the option of reviewing prospective programs or their current program's history of compliance, at their own convenience," said Yvonne Fritz, Minister of Children and Youth Services. "This also serves as a tool that child care operators can use to profile the quality care they offer."
Should parents be interested in a licensed child care program's history of compliance to the provincial standards, they will be able to view the inspection results for the previous 18 months, and the reason for the inspection (i.e., routine visit, complaint investigation, etc.). Parents will also have access to information about the results of the inspection and whether an enforcement action was issued, along with the required timeline for the program to rectify the situation. Summaries of inspections for contracted family day home agencies, occurring July 1, 2011, forward, will also be posted.
Under the Child Care Licensing Act, operators of licensed programs are already required to post their inspection reports in a prominent and visible location on their child care premises. Family day home agencies are also required to provide prospective parents with information about a provider's compliance history.
Enhancements to the Child Care Look-up tool will also make it possible for parents to search for all licensed or approved child care programs by name, program type, postal code, or their child's age. 
To access information about quality child care programs in Alberta or to get information about the standards governing these programs, go to www.child.alberta.ca/childcare.
- reprinted from Canada Views.ca