Family Home Childcare
If you are looking to return to work or to change your career, our Family Home Childcare may be just the opportunity you are looking for. Becoming part of the Kings County Family Resource Centre's Family Home Childcare Agency will give you a unique opportunity to work from home, build a successful business and earn a good income.
The goals of the Kings County Family Resource Centre Family Home Childcare Agency are to expand the availability of quality childcare, keep childcare providers up to date with new developments in the field, provide children with a safe, warm and caring environment, help support children's growth and development, and provide support to children, parents and childcare providers through the availability of resources.
Professional Home Childcare for Your Child
Family Home Childcare, Quality Childcare for your Child
Home-based childcare gives children and caregivers the option of childcare in a home-like atmosphere.
Approved home childcare is monitored by the Agency's Family Home Childcare Consultants and the Department of Education and Early Learning, This allows the childcare providers to be part of universal childcare parent fee reductions and offers the Nova Scotia Subsidy Program.
Each of our homes follows the Early Learning and Childcare Act and Regulations. The small child-to-caregiver ratios allow providers to build close one-on-one relationships with every child in their care.
Each home follows a play-based, child-focused curriculum with a personal touch that matches each child at their individual level.
For more information or if you have any questions please contact familyhomechildcare@kcfrc.ca.
Your Own Childcare Business
Family Home Childcare as a Career
The Family Home Childcare Agency will help you set up your new business from the beginning with start-up grants to paperwork, and will continue to support you throughout your journey.
As an approved childcare provider, you will have access to free professional development, toy and equipment lending libraries, supportive home visits, opportunities for post-secondary education and a network of great approved childcare providers to connect with.
Wondering About Providing Home-Based Childcare?
The Kings County Family Resource Center Home Childcare Agency is licensed through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
We screen, approve and monitor childcare providers who are offering childcare in their own family homes. Homes approved through the Home Childcare Agency are referred to as "approved" which means that the childcare provider can offer the portable subsidy program and universal childcare fee reductions to families.
Each of our family home childcare homes are different, just like each child is different. Each home has its own unique program that follows play-based curriculums. Providers will offer activities that will promote social, emotional, and physical growth and development.
What is a Childcare Provider?
Childcare providers provide quality child care, a balanced program unique to each home and meet the needs of the child's social, emotional, and physical growth.
Childcare providers choose the hours they work, and the fee they charge based on the average fees in their area.
Childcare providers create healthy snacks and meals for their menus with the assistance of the Family Home Consultant and the food and beverage criteria for childcare settings.
The childcare provider will ensure that they provide a safe, healthy, and warm environment to the children in their care.
Resources Available to Approved Childcare Providers
- The toy-lending library, literature and program supplies
- Work with the Consultant on a regular basis
- Attend professional development
- Monthly provider meetings with other home childcare providers
- Start-up grants
- Assisting childcare providers in filling their spaces
- Providing administrative support and record-keeping (all documents other than personal policies coming from the agency)
- Providing a lending library
- Coordinating and funding the delivery of professional development courses
- Support childcare providers and families with universal childcare funding and subsidy program
- Most equipment needed to be approved is provided by the Agency including cribs, gates, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, strollers and much more!
Requirements to Become Approved
- Adequate liability insurance
- First-aid CPR level C
- Child Abuse Registry check (for everyone in the home 13 yrs+)
- Criminal Record check (for everyone in the home 18 yrs+)
- Fire safety plan
Family Home Childcare Staff
Lianne Philippe
Family Home Childcare Agency Director
Hi! I’m the Director of the Family Home Childcare Agency. I’m passionate about helping families and childcare providers connect and create a safe, nurturing environment for kids to grow and learn. My job is all about supporting childcare providers with resources and guidance, so they can offer high-quality care in their own homes.
Before stepping into this role, I was an elementary school teacher and, even earlier, worked as an Early Childhood Educator. My experiences in both education and childcare have shaped my deep commitment to supporting children’s growth and development at every stage. I’m excited to bring that experience to my current role, helping make childcare accessible and supportive for everyone.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me spending time with my family and enjoying the little moments in life. I’m excited to be part of a team that’s making a real difference in our community!
Alicia Curry
Family Home Childcare Consultant
Hi there, I'm Alicia Curry. I am the newest member of the Family Home Childcare team, and I am looking forward to supporting the childcare providers, children, and their families in our beautiful communities.
Prior to taking the position as Consultant, I have worked in Pre-Primary, licensed childcare, and ran an in-home school age program. I hope to apply my experience to my role at KCFRC.
I moved to The Annapolis Valley nearly 20 years ago and fell in love with the landscape and the people and decided to stay. When I'm not at work you can find me out and about with my husband and son, reading, at the cottage, or spending time with my best friends and their children. "It takes a village," they say, and I am excited to be part of the one KCFRC has created.
Pam McDow
Family Home Childcare Consultant
My name is Pam McDow. I am a wife and mother of 3 beautiful girls. I live in Lakeville and was born and raised here in the valley.
I started my journey as an Early Childhood Educator in 1992. I worked in centre-based childcare for 15 years until I began work at KCFRC in October 2008, as one of the Family Home Consultants with the Family Home Child Care Agency.
Working with children has been the most rewarding career. In my spare time, I enjoy family and friend time, being out in nature, riding in the side-by-side or combing the beach for rocks.
Erin McElroy
Family Home Childcare Consultant
My name is Erin McElroy. I am a wife and mother of 3 busy boys. I live in Greenwood. I was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley but have moved around quite a bit following my husband's Military career.
I have worn many different hats over the years but have always had a passion for working with others. I have worked in shelters, group homes, addiction treatment centres, resource centres, libraries, childcare centres and I have owned and operated an approved childcare home under the KCFRC. I am now a Family Home Childcare Consultant and am helping support others who own and operate their own family home childcare.
If I am not working and the weather is nice, you can find me spending my spare time with my family glamping lake side.
Natasha Salsman
Family Home Administrative Assistant
Hi, I’m Natasha Salsman. I have been an ECE for more than 10 years. The first 5, working in a licensed centre, and the second 5, providing in-home childcare through the Kings County Family Home Child Care Agency.
In June 2022, I was hired as Family Home Administrative Assistant and am proud to be part of such an inspiring team of people. I still get to see beautiful little humans every day coming through the building!
I am happiest spending time with my husband, and my two grown boys and relaxing at our lakefront lot.
Toy Lending Library
At KCFRC, we offer an extensive library of age-appropriate toys, puzzles, games, equipment, and books for children and their caregivers.
Childcare providers and KCFRC participants can borrow and enjoy these items at home!
Our library provides a collection of resources which support and recognize learning abilities, cultural diversity and the health and wellness around us.
