Child Care...  

Licensed child care

What is unlicensed child care?

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.

Home 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.

Licensed agencies contract individual caregivers who use their own homes to look after children.

Caregivers are screened, approved and monitored by home visitors, who work for the home care agency.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services inspects the agencies and some home child care locations at least once a year to make sure that they are meeting the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act.

What do home visitors do?

Home visitors have training in early childhood education, child development and family studies. They make sure that the caregivers are following the agency's policies and procedures. They may also help caregivers:

• plan activities for children at different stages of their development
• give advice about nutritious meal planning
• check that the home is safe for children
• help choose toys and equipment that are safe and suitable for the children
• make sure provincial requirements are met
  
  

What are the advantages of this kind of care?

• children of the same family may be placed together
• agency provides assistance, support and monitoring
• caregiver has to meet certain standards of care
• small group size. By law, caregivers can only provide child care for five children under the age of ten. The regulation sets out additional restrictions for the number of children cared for under the age of six years.

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