Providing Licensed Child Care in Ontario
I want to set up a child care facility. Do I need a licence?
Under the terms of the Day Nurseries Act, if you care for more than five children under the age of 10 years, not of common parentage (children who have different parents), for temporary care and guidance, you must be licensed as a day nursery.
If you provide child care to five children or less under the age of 10 years who are not of common parentage (children who have different parents), including your own children under the age of six, you do not need a licence. This number may not be exceeded, regardless of the number of adults present or on site.
If you provide in-home child care at more than one location or co-ordinate the provision of care at more than one site, you are required to have a licence to operate a private-home day care agency.
It is an offence to establish, operate or maintain a day nursery or private-home day care agency without a licence.
How do I get a licence?
You must contact the Ministry of Children and Youth Services at:
Central West Regional Office of Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Suite 200
6733 Mississauga Rd.
Mississauga, ON L5N 6J5
Telephone: 905-567-7177
Fax: 1-866-563-9708
The Ministry will then send you an information package about setting up a day care centre or private-home day care service. You must attend a New Operators’ meeting at the Ministry office. These meetings are held about every six weeks. If you are still interested, you must send the required information to the Ministry who will assign you a Program Advisor.
Where can I find more information?
My centre has just been licensed. Who can I contact for help and support?
Revised:
Monday November 16 2009
