Children’s Resources on Wheels (CROW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening child care, family life, child development, and community links in Lanark County.  We currently provide families with two main streams of service:  Licensed Home Child Care and the EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

The Ministry of Education licenses private-home day care agencies like CROW.  These agencies then contract individual caregivers (providers) who offer child care out of their home.  These providers may care for up to six children (including their own under the age of 4) from the ages of 6 weeks and up to 13 years as set out by the Child Care & Early Years Act 2014.  For more information go to our website www.crowlanark.com or telephone 613-283-0095 (toll-free 1-800-267-9252) extension 306.

• My child will be in a safe, stimulating home setting that meets legislated standards.
• My child will be placed with a provider who has had a criminal reference check, a Family & Children’s Services Check, and has been screened through interviews and home assessments.
• I will receive tax receipts for my child’s care and I can apply for a subsidy through the County of Lanark, or County of Leeds Grenville.
• My child will be with a person who has completed First Aid and CPR training.  My child will be in a home that has been inspected by the Fire Department.
• I will receive updates about my child from the Home Visitor who visits the provider’s home.
• My child will enjoy outdoor play, individual attention, and a caring environment.

The Home Visitor will try to place your child with a provider that is located near your home, school, or work.

Child care providers are screened (approved), monitored and supported by people called “home visitors”.  Home visitors have training in early childhood education, child development, and/or family studies.  They check that the home is safe for children according to child behaviour management, nutrition, health, sanitary practices, and the handling of serious occurrences as set out in the Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014.

The Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014 requires a home visitor to visit once every three months.  CROW strives to visit every other month.

Child care fees vary depending on the age of your child; the length of time they are in care; whether care is required on weekends or starts before 6 am or continues after 6 pm; or whether overnight care is required.

Payments are by pre-authorized debit, every two weeks.  Details will be provided at the time of enrolment.

Parents using licensed child care programs in Lanark County including CROW Licensed Home Child Care have access to child care subsidy through Lanark County Child Care Services.  For more information, please call 613-267-4200 extension 2302 or 1-888-952-6275 to find out if your family would qualify and how to apply. If you live in the neighbouring United Counties of Leeds Grenville contact 1-800-267-8146 extension 2361 for more information regarding subsidy.

A visit is scheduled where the family can meet the provider.  After the visit, if the parent or provider does not feel that it is the right match then another caregiver can be arranged depending on availability.

Yes, this is an advantage of choosing home child care.  If the provider has space siblings will be kept together.

Some providers offer before and after school care including summer and school holidays. 

We try to accommodate the needs of parents.  Some of the providers may offer extended hours.

All of the providers follow the Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014 according to rules and regulations.  The providers personalize their program with regards to activities, variety of toys, field trips, walks, and daily schedule. All licensed child care programs follow the Ministry of Education’s pedagogy for early years programming called How Does Learning Happen? which is a resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children. Children succeed in settings where they actively learn through exploration, play and inquiry.

Families with children still in diapers are required to supply all diapers and/or wipes as needed for their child.  An extra set (or two) of clothes (plus outdoor wear according to weather conditions) in case of accidents or messy play for all ages is recommended.  Sunscreen, diaper cream, etc. are all the responsibility of the child’s family.

In a typical day, the provider will serve a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack, following recommendations of the Canada Food Guide. Menus are shared with parents. In case of special diets/allergies parents need to supply their own food.  Food and milk (bottles) for infants are supplied by the parents.

We strongly encourage communication between the parent and provider.  However, under certain circumstances the Home Visitor should be called to help mediate.

No, in our program the providers are contracted and regulated to care for children in the provider’s own home.

There are caregivers in the community who care for children privately and are not affiliated with an agency. We only place children in provider homes who contract their services with CROW Licensed Home Child Care.

Follow this link for a complete description of Licensed Home Child Care versus Unlicensed Child Care.

It is the responsibility of the parent to drop-off and pick-up their child.  School age children either walk or take the school bus.  Some providers offer field trips during the day; they use their own vehicle.  The providers are only allowed to transport children if they have car seats (supplied by the parent) and the parent’s permission.