As the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency, we want to make sure you have all the tools and resources you need as families and providers.
On this page you will find specific resources we use and trust.
- Muskoka Home Child Care Agency Family Handbook
- Agency Recommended Parent and Provider Resources
- Provincially Recommended Parent Resources
Muskoka Home Child Care Agency Family Handbook
The Muskoka Home Child Care Agency Family Handbook is an important resource for families and providers. In the handbook you will find information regarding our program philosophy, quality of care, onboarding providers and agency requirements, how to enroll, preparing for care, financial and attendance information, as well as health and safety guidelines.
If you would like to request a printable copy of the MHCCA Family Handbook (2022), please email homechildcare@muskoka.on.ca
Agency Recommended Parent and Provider Resources
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An Overview of the Document How Does Learning Happen? |
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How Does Learning Happen? A Pedagogy for the Early Years describes the four foundations of learning for children: Well-Being, Engagement, Expression and Belonging. Each foundation is interconnected and essential to the overall development of children. When we see children as curious, competent and capable of complex thinking, we are better equipped to support them in reaching their maximum potential. This document guides ECE philosophies and principals as we work together as educators, families and children to be co-learners. The following link is the entire document as used by RECEs to support, extend and document children’s learning. Through this document, all childcare Providers are co-learners with children and attempt to see the world through their eyes. As they observe and document the learning taking place within the child, they are able to program plan and provide materials, experiences and activities to enhance a child’s growth. Why not learn letter recognition in the sand box with dinosaurs? Let’s measure and pour while engaged in water play to learn about numbers. When children are actively engaged in play, they are learning all the skills that will help them in their ability to learn new concepts and face challenges. This documented scientific approach enables children to learn because they have had an opportunity to explore, problem solve, self-regulate and be co-constructors of their environment. This ground work is a solid base for successful learning throughout their life. http://www.ontario.ca/page/how-does-learning-happen-ontarios-pedagogy-early-years |
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What is Play-Based Learning |
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Play is children’s work. It was a societal misconception that play does not promote learning concepts such as literacy and numeracy. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When children engage in activities that provoke and stimulate thinking in open-ended materials within social stories of their own making, children are able to process, commit to memory and extend their experiences in play. For example, these play experiences develop turn taking and patience by waiting for a turn, learning about literacy through books and materials related to their favourite animal and problem solving when challenged through personal interactions throughout their day. It could be how to get along with peers, how to make their tower taller without falling over, or any topic that engages their interest and curiosity. When they are personally invested, learning is happening.
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The Benefits of Home Child Care - The Importance of Continuity of Care |
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When making the transition from home to enrolling your child in care, Home Child Care is a wonderful option. Your child will be cared for in a loving and nurturing home-like environment with small group sizing. One primary caregiver will care for your child from the time they enter care to the time they leave care. This consistent caregiver model allows for a deeper connection where cue-reading and responding becomes more accurate and responsive resulting in a solidified foundation of trust. Establishing this level of trust, results in optimum learning and development. |
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Think, Feel, Act Video Series |
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This video format of information discusses Positive Relationships and Brain Development, Pedagogical Leadership, Pedagogical Documentation, Inclusion, Parent Engagement, Learning Environments, Self-Regulation Skills and Observation and Documentation: there are 28 videos in total. It is easily accessible and helps adults understand how children develop and learn, as well as the best ways to encourage a child’s learning. https://www.ontario.ca/page/think-feel-act-lessons-research-about-young-children Videos range from 1:30 minutes up to 6 minutes in length with most between 3 to 4 minutes. |
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What is Risky Play? |
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As parents, this terminology may cause you to wonder how safe this idea is, but the root of risky play, means that children develop risk management skills. Children learn that ice is slippery, walking on a board requires balance and climbing up a steep hill is about foot placement. Educators guide and nurture their growth and help them see what they may not know or notice to avoid dangerous or hazardous situations. Children test new skills and ideas. They challenge their bodies and gain self-confidence. Risky play is one of the most preventative strategies in keeping our children safe. To learn more visit Risk in Play: How it helps child development https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeJPLOHJNMA Child Development - Risky Play |
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Loose Parts and Open-ended Materials |
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“In early childhood education settings, loose parts mean alluring, beautiful, found objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change while they play. Children can carry, combine, redesign, line up, take apart, and put loose parts back together in almost endless ways. The materials come with no specific set of directions, and they can be used alone or combined with other materials. Children can turn them into whatever they desire: a stone can become a character in a story; an acorn can become an ingredient in an imaginary soup. These objects invite conversations and interactions, and they encourage collaboration and cooperation. Put another way, loose parts promote social competence because they support creativity and innovation. All of these are highly valued skills in adult life today.” (Community Play Things) The websites below give examples and discuss what loose parts are and their value in children’s development. The possibilities are boundless and therefore, enables exponential growth. |
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Self Regulation Strategies and Suggestions |
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Dr. Stuart Shankar is an Ontario leader and pioneer in self-regulation in children and why it is so important to their well-being. The following 3 links are helpful in understand what self-regulation is and how to support your child to develop this enduring life skill. This site provides printable resources for educators and parents, including the parent guide and 5 domains of regulation. https://self-reg.ca/self-reg/self-regknowledge-series/ The following link to the Think, Feel, Act Videos help reinforce these concepts of self-regulation. They discuss what is happening to your child during times of stress and how to help them find strategies that will help them cope during stressful times. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLm_tt7Z1gBlDnt-6CrbyCn7iZ0e-H_-v – access videos 4, 25, 27, 28 – short videos no more than 3 minutes in length. |
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Information on Healthy Eating (Paint Your Plate) |
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The following links are to the latest information provided by the Government of Canada and Ontario Dietitians in Public Health. These are helpful with menu planning and how to ensure healthy eating practices for children. Nutrition is a key component to children’s well-being and ability to learn. |
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What to Do About Biting? |
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Biting behaviour can cause many issues and emotional responses for all parties. It is often a stressor that can be very challenging to redirect in some children. This website offers some insight and suggestions on what may help to alleviate this behavior. https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/232-toddlers-and-biting-finding-the-right-response |
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What is Infant Mental Health and Why is it Important? |
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Infant Mental Health is a newer science that is heavily focused on brain development. The following link provides a wide range of articles on Infant Mental Health which platforms how infant mental health is key to children’s development and success. Dr. Charles Zeanah states that “Infant Mental Health is a multidisciplinary professional field of inquiry, practice and policy concerned with alleviating suffering and enhancing the social and emotional competence of young children”. Essentially when a child is cared for by a loving and responsive care Provider, it lays the foundation for positive growth, resiliency and health. When a child’s cues are met by a Provider that will answer their needs, interact positively with them and are committed to developing a trusting relationship, the child can then engage curiously with their environment; allowing the child to make sense of the world around them. Adversely, if a child does not have a responsive care relationship with someone who cares for them by responding to their needs, infants’ brains will not be able to develop other higher thinking skills because they will always be focused on their essential needs. Children can recover from poor relationships if they are provided with a responsive caring Provider. The first 2 years of life are even more critical than was originally thought by health care professionals. A Mother’s health is directly connected to their child’s so supporting the mother is just as important as supporting the infant’s mental health.
https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/RaisingChildren/YourGrowingChild/Children's-Mental-Health
https://www.parentinginottawa.ca/en/infant-and-early-childhood-mental- health.aspx
https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/your_babys_brain |
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LookSee Checklist and More |
| This is the latest comprehensive chart that outlines what your child should be doing at every age and stage. It does require a sign up but it’s free and can be used on your phone. It is helpful when you aren’t sure if there is an issue and something to bring to the attention of your doctor for further evaluation. https://www.lookseechecklist.com/en/
CPT Developmental Milestones by Age and Area of Development: https://www.imhpromotion.ca/Resources/Comfort,-Play-Teach Nutrition Screening http://www.nutritionscreen.ca/ Age-Appropriate Speech and Language Milestones https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=age-appropriate-speech-and-language-milestones-90-P02170 |
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Speech and Language Information |
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This is a local link that supports children and families that may be experience speech or communication issues with their child. It has helpful tips and discusses milestones for each age level and where to go when you have concerns. You do not need a referral from a medical professional to seek help. (See also the Look See document for milestone information.) https://www.onekidsplace.ca/services/speech-language-pathology/ |
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Ticks and Lyme Disease |
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This is a link to various questions you may have and covers quite range of topics that look at what Lyme disease is, its symptoms, treatment and how to prevent bites. http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/DiseaseInformation/FactSheetsIL/lymedisease.aspx |
Provincially Recommended Parent Resources
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Home Child Care and Unlicensed Child Care |
| This website of the government of Ontario discusses the differences of the two types of care. |
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Home Child Care and Unlicensed Child Care: How Many Children Are Allowed? |
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This link will give you the most current information on what the Ontario government has set in place for numbers of children in licensed and unlicensed Home Child Care. https://www.ontario.ca/page/home-child-care-and-unlicensed-child-care-how-many-children-are-allowed |
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Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule |
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Vaccines help build up and strengthen your immune system, protecting you against disease. This web page will help you learn about Ontario’s free vaccine program, and makes it easy to keep your family up to date with the recommended vaccinations. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/immunization/static/immunization_tool.html |
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Water Safety |
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Drowning is a preventable tragedy. Educate yourself so that you can educate your child. It is important to note that drowning is a quiet tragedy. Children will stop struggling within 3 to 5 seconds upon immersion. You will not hear a young child call for help as they will not be able to. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/pdfs/hcca-bodies-of-water-tips-and-instructions-en.pdf This link is to a Canadian website that discusses all types of possible injuries and how to prevent them; such as, poisoning, accidents, drowning, etc. There are simple things you can do to keep you and your family safe. Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death for Canadians, and it often happens quickly and silently. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/drowning/ This information is from the Canadian Pediatric Society and addresses essential precautions to help protect children, using a life jacket and/or a PFD for children, what to do if you have a pool at your home, other water safety tips and when can children take swimming lessons. |
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Playground and Water Safety |
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This parental/Provider resource talks about active supervision, rules for safe play, water appropriate footwear, broken or damaged equipment, pools, ponds and toddler pools. https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/drowning/play-parks-and-water-features/ https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/drowning/lifejackets-and-personal-flotation-devices-pfds/ |
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Canadian Poisonous Plant Information System |
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This is the Government of Canada’s website with information on what plants are poisonous and what the symptoms are when consumed. https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.516608/publication.html |
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Head Lice Information and Treatment |
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The Canadian Pediatric Society provides information for parents on head lice and how to treat it. It discusses everything from transmission to prevention and is helpful with this annoying infestation. |
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Home Safety - Play Time |
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Here are some tips and tricks to keeping your child’s play time at home a safe time. It discusses toy safety and suggested uses per age, drowning prevention, baby walkers, stationary activity centres, baby jumpers and trampolines. |
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Fire Arm Safety |
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The RCMP and Government of Canada provide information on storing, transporting and displaying firearms safely. This must be followed to the letter of the law and will be discussed and viewed by the Muskoka Home Visitor. https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/storing-transporting-and-displaying-firearms |
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Severe Allergic Reactions |
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The Government of Canada provides information on food allergies, what reactions can look like and common food allergens. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-allergies-intolerances/food-allergies.html |
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Safe Disposal of Prescriptions Drugs |
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The government of Canada discusses safe disposal, take back programs and garbage disposal. It also mentions pharmaceuticals and the environment, and provides additional resources to refer to for further information. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/safe-disposal-prescription-drugs.html |
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Child Car Seat Safety |
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This Government of Canada website has articles and information for parents to access such as choosing a booster seat, installing a car seat/booster seat properly, safety alerts and recalls on products. It also contains a recall data base and articles on cross border shopping, how long car seats are good for, and other travel information on other modes of travel. https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/road/child-car-seat-safety.html |
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Licensed and Unlicensed Child Care Violations |
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This link allows an individual to look up violations for licensed and unlicensed Providers (individuals providing informal or private child care in their homes or at other locations). The registry covers violations recorded and verified since January 2012. It also allows individuals to report a complaint or ask about a violation. |