Provider FAQ
Applying to Provide Child Care
Thank you for your interest! You can start by completing our online application form located here. Once we have received it, we will be in touch when we are seeking Providers in your area. We look forward to hearing from you!
Definitely! We welcome the opportunity to work with you, whether your home is already set up with a day care or not. In fact, if your home is opened by TotLot, you will qualify for a referral bonus if any of your day care families decide to register with us!
A completed application doesn’t guarantee a position as a Provider with us, as we reserve the right to determine the suitability of each candidate.
Besides needing a demand for care in your area, we look for the following in a Provider:
- demonstrates a love of children
- is caring and nurturing
- has a safe, clean home
- has (or is willing to create) a safe, clean, and inviting play space for children
- has sufficient knowledge of child development
- has skills related to child care
- has the ability to establish flexible routines
- provides a safe and stimulating environment
- plans and implements a variety of age-appropriate activities
- provides nutritious, well-balanced lunches and snacks
- is willing to follow the rules and regulations set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act and by TotLot
- is willing to work cooperatively with the Agency and with parents
- is interested in continued professional development through workshops
Opening Your Home Day Care
Once your completed application has been received, and we have determined there are parents seeking home day care in your area, we will contact you for a preliminary telephone interview. Upon successful completion of the telephone interview, we will schedule a visit for an in-home interview. This provides an opportunity for us to meet you, and view your home day care environment. After successful completion of at least three reference checks, we will actively work towards placing children in your home.
When opening your home day care, documentation is collected to satisfy the requirements set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act. Some of the paperwork requirements are:
- vulnerable sector checks for yourself and each adult family member (who resides in the home) or adult visitor (during day care hours)
- a valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level ‘C’ certificate
- proof of insurance for operating a home day care
No. Since you are a self-employed, independent contractor, you are responsible for your own business expenses. You will pay for your own First Aid/CPR training, however, you will be eligible for a discounted rate for the required course, and the Agency will give you the details in order to set that up. In addition, course fees paid are eligible expenses for your home child care business, to reduce your taxable income, when your annual income tax return is filed.
Working With TotLot Licensed Childcare
Government grant money is only available to Providers working with a licensed agency so, if you have children in care with TotLot, the answer is YES, you do! Historically, there has always been at least one or two additional opportunities to top up your daily rate. Currently, one of the grants that our Providers receive is the Wage Enhancement Grant, which pays Providers an additional $20.00 per day, if they have children in care for over 6 hours. Please contact us for more details on the current grant funding that our Providers are receiving.
No, you have full control over the children you will care for. There is no obligation for you to accept a child into care just because you have interviewed the family. The choice is, entirely, yours.
Surprise! We’ve shown up at your door while you’re in the middle of making lunch. This is usually a busy time-- juggling food preparation with hungry toddlers. Now what do you do?! Absolutely nothing different than you would normally do! In fact, we will likely jump in and try to help with serving food in order to keep your routine moving. We are there to observe, support, check in, address concerns, discuss, monitor, listen, teach, and review. We want you to continue on with your regular schedule while we are there. If a child needs you, they come first. We’ll insert ourselves, and our discussion, when it is least intrusive to your day care. The visits are an opportunity for us to spend time with you and the children, as part of our ongoing commitment to support you, while you provide quality day care.
We love to visit you, and thank you for welcoming us into your home! We usually visit once per month however, there are occasions when you may see more of us-- when you have a new child in care, if you are experiencing challenges and have requested additional support, during annual licensing visits, etc. Overall, we drop by about a dozen times each year.
Life happens—we get it! We have detailed policies outlining steps to take when this occurs, and we’re happy to help you through the process. If you have to close your day care, families who need care can contact us to see if alternate care is available in another TotLot Provider’s home.
No, you are not an employee. You are definitely part of the TotLot team though. You are a self-employed, independent contractor, working with TotLot. You have your own home child care business and are entitled to relevant income tax deductions, as a result.
Need more information? Give us a call!