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Sask. child care group calls on government to register unlicensed homes

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Author: 
CBC News
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
18 Jun 2015
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Doris Gutzer remembers hearing about an unlicensed daycare where the operator kept 26 children in her garage. That incident was several years ago, but she said she knows of other situations this past year where more than 20 children have been at day homes.

Gutzer is co-chair of the Saskatchewan Association of Child Care Homes. She said she hears stories like these regularly, and she is advocating for someone to at least monitor unlicensed daycares. 

"Unfortunately, the government is not even looking into these unlicensed homes," she said. "The parent, I guess the best they could do is maybe if they wanted to question something is they could call Child Protective Services."

Gutzer said the licensed homes are pushing the government for more regulation because they feel there are "too many homes having inadequate care."

Complaint driven

Gutzer spoke to CBC after a couple came forward about a complaint they made about an unlicensed daycare. They allege neglect and mistreatment.

The province confirmed it has investigated the home three times. The results of those investigations are confidential.

In 2013, the province created a 1-800 Social Services help line. Since then, it has received and followed up on 84 calls regarding unlicensed child care services.

-reprinted from CBC News

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