Yellowknife (Aug 22/03) - Yellowknife needs more day care spots, according to several workers in the business.

"We need more because we have lots of children," Nancy Bies at Little Treasures Day Home says.

Florance Peddle, co-ordinator of children and youth programs at the YWCA, agrees with Bies.

"We had to close the YWCA day care because of no funding but in our four after school programs our 68 spaces have been full before June and we have a waiting list for each," Peddle says.

Parents are calling continually expressing concerns they do not have day care for their children, she adds.

"There is a demand. I would like to see more offered -- we would gladly take more, but it depends on the schools."

Leona Stanley, who owns the Leona Stanley Day Home, says she gets many calls looking for spaces for babies under the age of two.

"I think the government should allow us to take more babies," she says.

Licensed day homes are able to accommodate eight children, including one's own. Unlicensed facilities can have no more than five.

While anyone can advertise to care for children in a home, Bies says it was important for her to have an established day-care facility.

"When you are licensed, I feel you are more credible."

This means a home inspection by the fire marshal, a health inspector, a criminal records check by police and finally, an official from the Day Home Association will ensure regulations such as covering electrical outlets and no smoking policies are in place.

The entire process will usually take several months, says Michele LeTourneau, public affairs officer for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

"There are currently 713 total day care spaces in the North Slave region and a combination of programs," LeTourneau says.

This means day care facilities, home care services, as well as numerous part-time after school and nursery school programs are available for children.

But regardless of the effort involved in setting up a child care facility, Bies says it is very much worth the effort.

While it is not necessary to have formal child development training, she says each year she undergoes First Aid and CPR training.

Usually autumn is the start of a busy day care, she says.

Parents will call, arrange an appointment and discuss various aspects of the facility to ensure the fit is right for them.

Bies does not advocate one day care situation over the other for children, however.

"I don't feel anyone (day care) is better than the other. It's all about looking after other people's children -- our future."