Child Care Centre License
If you are interested in providing care for more than six children under the age of 5 inclusive of your own, or for more than eight school age children (age 5-12 inclusive of your own ) you must apply for a license to operate a child care centre. If you currently provide care for fewer than six children under the age of 5 or eight school age children, or are planning to do so in the future, you may wish to apply to join a licensed Family Home Day Care Agency. You are not required to do so but may find that joining a Family Home Day Care Agency enriches your experience as an unlicensed care provider.
Eligibility
The operator of a child care centre or family home day care agency is eligible to obtain a license when all requirements for operation identified in the Day Care Regulations have been met.
Next steps
In order to obtain a license to operate a child care centre you must submit the form Proposal to Operate a Child Care Facility (ECDS-801) . You may download this form, the guide How to Start a Child Care Centre and the Child Care Facility Proposal Recommendation (ECDS-802) form to assist you in meeting all requirements to apply for a license. You can also request these be sent via email.
To obtain a license to operate a family home day care facility you must submit the form Family Home Day Care Program Application. You may download this form and the Guide to Starting a Family Home Day Care Agency from our Family Home Daycare page.
Upon receipt of the child care facility or family home day care forms, an Early Childhood Development Consultant (ECDC) will be assigned to assist you throughout the proposal process for a new facility or agency.
For more information, contact the regional office in your area listed on your Proposal to Operate a Child Care Facility (ECDS-801) form under section.