Licensed Home Childcare Providers

In Ontario, anyone who cares for more than five unrelated children under the age of 10 years has to be licensed by the Ministry of Education. Licensed child care providers have to meet certain provincial health, safety and caregiver training standards.

A home child care provider that is overseen by a licensed agency can care for up to six children under the age of 13. All home-based child care providers must:
count their own children if they are younger than four years old
care for a maximum of three children younger than two years old.

Home-Based Child Care – This type of care is regulated in the same way licensed child care centres are. An agency contracts with individuals to provide care in their own home. A home visitor makes sure these providers meet the requirements of the legislation and receive adequate training and resources. Hours will vary offering full day, part day, before & after school programs, extended evening hours, holidays and up to 24 hours a day care.

Every Home Child Care Agency in Ontario must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and they are obligated to adhere to government regulations which promote the health, safety and well-being of the children and families enrolled in their program.

Home-Base Child Care Information for the West Nipissing Child Care Corporation (actual fees have not yet been updated)

Home-Base Child Care Information for Manitoulin Family Resources

Each Licensed Home Child Care Agency works with a group of approved providers who deliver the child care program within their own home. The providers are under contract with the Agency and although providers themselves are not licensed, they are monitored by the Agency to ensure that they are following the government’s rules and regulations and the Agency’s policies and procedures.

The Agency provides guidance, resources and professional development to help providers meet the needs of children in their care. This includes enhanced Public Health protocols related to infection prevention and control.
Families who receive care through a Licensed Agency are supported not only by the Home Child Care Provider but also by Home Visitors and a Supervisor.

• The Agency works with a family to determine their needs and preferences, and helps them select a home child care provider from the Agency’s approved list.
• The Agency visits the provider’s home at least once every three months and regularly reviews nutrition, activities and health & safety standards.
• The agency provides ongoing training, resources and support to the Home Child Care Provider.
• If families have concerns with their care, they can speak to the provider, the Home Visitor or the Supervisor.

Home child care agencies recruit, screen, approve and support licensed home child care providers who offer child care in their homes. Agencies also refer families to you looking for care, whose child care needs and preferences align with your schedule.

Home Visitors or consultants are Registered Early Childhood Educators who are trained in early childhood education and have extensive knowledge of child development and the rules and regulations of licensed child care.

The Home Visitor screens, approves and monitors licensed home child care providers and assists with the application process. They check all homes to make sure they are safe for children before children are enrolled. They also check in monthly to make sure home providers are following the provincial requirements.

Being a licensed home child care provider offers the independence of running your own business, with the support and resources of an agency. Other benefits include:

• Administrative support from an agency to find and place children in your home, collect payment from families and directly pay providers.
• Support from a home visitor who can provide guidance for your programming and answer questions.
• Access to wage enhancements, such as Wage Enhancement Grant and Operating Grants.
• Participate in professional learning opportunities and resources, and engage in a community of licensed providers.
• The flexibility to care for a small group of children and accept children based on your availability and needs.
• Reduced child care fees for eligible families through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System and child care fee subsidy.
• Reassurance for families that your home meets provincial home child care requirements.

As a licensed home child care provider, you will:

• Provide high-quality child care in a safe, nurturing home learning environment.
• Care for children from infancy to 12 years of age and offer full-day, half-day, before and after school or extended-hour care.
• Work with an agency that helps you with the licensing process and provides professional support, resources and guidance.
• Join a community of child care professionals.

The process takes approximately four–eight weeks. This will depend on the time it takes the home provider applicant to:

• Complete agency screening — interview for suitability, personal reference checks, home visits for safety, fire inspection and verified Vulnerable Sector Check for themselves and anyone else in the household who is 18 or older.
• Submit up-to-date immunization records and health assessments for themselves and anyone else in the home.
• Obtain Commercial General Liability Insurance and Standard Auto (if using vehicle for transporting children)
• Provide required certifications — Standard First Aid including Infant/Child CPR and Food Handlers Certification.
• Purchase of any equipment required.

After being contracted, home child care providers will undergo training on the agencies policies and procedures, along with Ministry regulations and Municipal requirements. They will also receive guidance in setting up with home environment and support with the enrollment and registration of children into their home before their first official day of opening