Home-based child care
Home child care is provided in a caregiver's home. You can find home child care for infants, toddlers pre-school and school-aged children.
Choosing Child Care
Parents have a choice between informal (unlicensed) and formal (licensed) child care.
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 Children and Youth Services. Licensed child care providers have to meet certain provincial health, safety and caregiver training standards.
If you are thinking about licensed child care, there are several kinds to choose from. The kind you choose will depend on the needs of your child and your family.
What are my licensed child care choices?
Centre-based child care
Licensed child care centres care for infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children. They include nursery schools, full day care, extended day care and before and after school programs.
School-aged child care
School-age programs are designed for children 6 to 12 years of age. These children spend most of their day at an elementary school.
In Ontario, caregivers who look after five or fewer unrelated children under the age of 10 do not have to be licensed.
Unlicensed child care are private arrangements made between the parents and the caregiver. Another name for unlicensed child care is informal child care.
Here are some examples:
- a babysitter or relative who comes to the child's home at the required times
- a nanny who lives with the family
- a friend or relative who cares for the child in their own home
Some advantages:
- family atmosphere in a home-like setting
- caregiver may know you and your child
- schedules may be more flexible
- can be more affordable than licensed child care
Some disadvantages:
- caregiver may not have any formal training
- isolation of caregiver
- other children may not be the same age or the same stage of development
- reliability may be a problem
Who supervises unlicensed caregivers?
The Ministry of Children and Youth Services does not regulate these caregivers. That means the person caring for your child does not have to meet provincial health, safety and caregiver training standards.
