CMAS

ABC’s of Feeding Preschoolers

This short and easy-to-use resource helps answer nutrition questions and concerns, and offers ideas on feeding young children.Read More…

Guides to Physical Activites

Public Health Agencies of Canada offers three downloadable PDFs, designed to assist in increasing physical activity in children up to the age of nine. Encouraging kids to build physical activity into their daily routine helps to create a pattern that may stay with them for the rest of their lives! Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth

About Kids Health

Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) presents a comprehensive website, designed to “provide families with reliable, current information about all areas influencing child health and family quality of life, in a format that is easy to understand.”
www.aboutkidshealth.ca/

Included are online “Resources Centers” on:

  • major issues in children’s health such as ADHD, asthma, diabetes and pain management;
  • “Health A-Z”, with hundreds of articles on various topics;
  • “How the Body Works,” an animated interactive atlas of child anatomy and physiology for parents and caregivers;
  • “Just for Kids,” with colourful, interactive pages and downloadable activity sheets, bookmarks, etc.;
  • “Ask Dr. Pat,” a question-and-answer page; and
  • a newsletter with articles on all aspects of children’s health, development, relationships and safety.

Of particular interest to child care providers working with newcomer children are recent articles like “Helping Immigrant Children Succeed” and “Attending to the Health of Immigrant Children”.

www.aboutkidshealth.ca/

Recalls (link)

http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/

November 17 – 20, 2010 – Family Supports Institute Ontario Conference

http://www.fsio.ca/conference.html

CMAS Assessments

Assessments of LINC Childminding programs are conducted once a year by CMAS. CMAS works with each LINC Childminding program to review practices and identify any areas that do not meet the standards of the National LINC Childminding Requirements (NLCR).

The CMAS assessment is a transparent, inclusive monitoring and support process to help LINC Childminding facilities meet the NLCR in the areas of:

  • administration
  • facilities
  • activities
  • child health and safety
  • staffing and supervision.

Steps in the Assessment Process

  1. Getting Ready

    • Every January, each Service Provider Organization (SPO) receives a “Welcome Back” letter and package , which includes information on the upcoming yearly assessment. Included in the “Welcome Back” package is a list of support documents that will assist the childminding program in meeting the NLCR. The letter and package is sent to both the LINC Coordinator (or Executive Director) and the Lead Childminder.
    • Shortly after the “Welcome Back” letter and package arrives, the childminding program receives a phone call from the CMAS Assessment Consultant and an assessment visit is booked. The Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) Project Officer responsible for the SPO is invited to attend the assessment visit.
    • Two weeks prior to the assessment visit, a confirmation letter arrives with a list of the required documentation to complete the assessment.

Building on Every Child’s Abilities

We all have things that we are good at and challenges that we need to work on. Too often, the strengths and abilities of newcomer children are overlooked or overshadowed by their needs. By focusing on the strengths that newcomer children bring to your program you will encourage the development of healthy self-esteem that will be the foundation for their successful transition to life in Canada. This tip sheet is available in English and French.

CMAS Support

Do you have questions about working with newcomer families? About childcare issues? About making your facility work for children?

This is how we can help:

  • We provide information, suggestions and hands-on assistance to LINC Childminding programs.
  • As a clearinghouse on issues of health and safety and newcomer settlement, we can serve as a resource for practical information that will help newcomer families settle into a new country and community.
  • We are available to visit facilities to help with everything from fire drills to room design.

    • NOTE: If you are planning a move or renovation, remember to request the CMAS booklet From Selection to Set Up: How to Start a LINC Childminding Program. CMAS can also provide on-site support in planning your new space.

    Contact us

Planning for Successful Transitions

A transition is the change or movement from one activity or space to the next activity or space. Transitions can be challenging for all children, but they can be especially difficult when you don’t share a language with all the children in your care. If you were to take a step back and observe your program, you would find that transitions are often a source of behaviour disruptions. This is especially true when children don’t understand why the change in activity is happening or what is likely to happen next. This tip sheet, available in English and French, offers suggestions to help you plan ahead, minimize disruptions, and create a safe, predictable program.

Creating Language-Rich Environments For Infants

Speech is one of the most important and complex skills a child will learn. It seems to happen naturally but, in fact, as a caregiver, you have a very important role to play. The more you talk to an infant, the more you facilitate their language development—in both their home language and in any new language! This tip sheet is available in English and French.