ARCQESupport ServicesLINK Program

LINK Program

Assistance for programs that require support with meeting regulatory requirements.

  • Quality Enhancement

Learn About Regulation Through Coaching

Support is available at no cost to you!

LINK provides 46 hours of coach support over 4 – 6 months to observe educators, review program’s progress, and provide further actions, recommendations and strategies. This provincial initiative offers sponsored support to programs at no cost.

Critical areas for support are:

  1. Effective Supervision
  2. Child-Staff Ratios
  3. Staff Qualifications
  4. Child Guidance
  5. Meeting the Developmental Needs of Children
  6. Responsive Environment

The support process includes:

  • Initial Coach meeting
  • Observation and Analysis
  • Development of Action Plan
  • Service Support Delivery (Coaching Visits)
  • Virtual Learning Sessions
  • Final Review & Recommendations
  • Completion of a Service Review

Eligibility

To qualify for sponsored support, programs are referred to ARCQE by their regional Licensing Officer, the Ministry of Education and Childcare, or through the online access to the self-referral application form. All licensed child care programs in Alberta who may be seeking coaching support in this area of work should fill out the form below.

Participating programs must commit to the following:

  • Attend a pre-service orientation meeting.
  • Complete coach-supported hours within the established timeline.
  • Complete all action plan items.
  • Participate in pre and post evaluation processes.

Learn More by Exploring the Child Care Licensing Handbook

Explore the Handbook

Continuous Quality Improvement

Nurture your program’s knowledge of the ELCC Act and Regulations.

Refresh Educator Knowledge

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) is a specific, short-term service offered under the LINK project. It focuses on supporting programs in one major area of non-compliance who wish to improve their program’s capacity to meet provincial ELCC  regulations. CQI programs may receive up to 9 hours of on-site support over a 2 -3 month period.

CQI support is centred on enhancing program capacity in one of the critical areas needing improvement through positive relationships and approaches that include:

  • On-site coaching
  • Group learning sessions
  • Debriefs
  • Feedback
  • Educator practice observations

Pathways to CQI

  1. Self-Referral: License Holders of ELCC Programs, both facility and home-based, can request this free service by filling out the Service Request Form below.

  2. Licensing Referral: Access to this service is through a referral from the Ministry of Education and Childcare or your program’s assigned Licensing Officer.

If a referral is approved, programs will receive professional assistance in strengthening their knowledge and skills to avoid regulatory non-compliances in the future.

Resources

For resources pertaining to Quality Enhancement, browse our full list of resources.

Learn More

LINK Service Request Form

Please fill out this application for support.

Program Address(Required)
Name of Contact Person(Required)
In which of these priority areas do you believe your program needs LINK support? (select all that apply)(Required)
To be successful, programs need to allow on-site coaching, observations and one-on-one and/or group learning sessions. Would your program be prepared to participate fully in this program?
Do your educators have access to internet and/or computer equipment to support their on-site and occasional virtual learning?