Raising the Bar is a program designed to help families ensure their children are receiving high quality early learning in child care programs. Quality in child care is a major priority for the child care communities of Elgin , Huron, London/Middlesex, Oxford and Perth . Developed in Hamilton , this is a well-researched, Canadian initiative that builds on strengths and supports the quality of child care programs in our community. It provides the opportunity for the five counties to collaborate and improve child care for all children. Raising the Bar is coordinated by the Quality Child Care Project Coordinating Committee.

The presence of a Raising the Bar certificate is your assurance that the program you have chosen is committed to maintaining provincial regulatory and community standards.

Raising the Bar participants voluntarily submit to an annual peer review to ensure they meet community standards. Quality Assurance, Best Practices and Education and Training are evaluated under the following three levels: Bronze level programs follow fundamental quality indicators and are also in full compliance with Ontario ’s Day Nurseries Act. Silver level programs have additional strategies to enhance quality. Gold level programs demonstrate a long-term commitment to high quality in early childhood education.

Quality Assurance:

• Quality is monitored through frequent classroom observations.

• Parent feedback is collected each year.

• Action plans are developed to address areas of need and to plan for improvement.

• In addition to annual provincial licensing reviews and local public health inspections, Raising the Bar programs are visited every five years by Early Childhood Education Consultants.

Best Practices:

• The program offers information for parents and promotes opportunities for community involvement.

• There are detailed policies, procedures and management practices to guide day-to-day operations.

• Teachers provide reports about children’s health and development

Education and Training:

Raising the Bar program staff maintain credentials and commit to additional training each year.

• First aid and CPR

• Cooks have Food Handler’s Certificate training.

• All directors and staff attend workshops and conferences to enhance their understanding of early childhood education and care.

• Raising the Bar programs support teacher training through mentorship and by providing practical training opportunities for cooperative education students.

• Participating programs receive a certificate each year and are encouraged to post it in a visible location.

• The program director will be pleased to tell you about “Raising the Bar”.

• Participation in Raising the Bar indicates a commitment to supporting healthy, high quality environments for the children in our community, but it is not a guarantee or endorsement.

• The Ministry of Children and Youth is responsible for the regulation of child care in Ontario .

• The peer review process is an annual review of documentation submitted by the child care program. Peer reviewers do not conduct site visits to assess the quality of service.

Raising the Bar is a community project coordinated by the Quality Child Care Project Coordinating Committee. For more information about this five county project, e-mail your questions to Raising the Bar Coordinator Cyndi Frizelle.

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