Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Childcare in LTC Homes

This project aims to map and synthesize existing evidence on the barriers and facilitators to implementing childcare services within long-term care (LTC) homes. LTC facilities face ongoing challenges in workforce recruitment and retention, particularly among staff balancing professional responsibilities with childcare needs. Integrating childcare services on-site may support staff well-being and workforce stability while also enhancing residents’ daily experiences through intergenerational interaction and increased social engagement. Using a scoping review methodology guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR 2.0), we will examine published and grey literature on implementation strategies, reported outcomes, and organizational, regulatory, cultural, and interpersonal factors influencing program uptake and sustainability. An integrated knowledge translation approach will engage staff from one LTC home and one early childhood centre to ensure findings reflect practical realities. The review will identify key determinants of successful implementation, highlight gaps in the evidence, and provide guidance for LTC administrators, early childhood partners, and policymakers seeking to develop sustainable, equitable, and family-supportive co-located childcare programs that benefit residents, children, and staff alike.