The first step in accessing child care is knowing about the various options available to you and the regulatory oversights for each option. Also, having an open mind when exploring these options can help you find child care that meets your family’s needs.
Licensed vs unlicensed child care
Licensed
- Also known as regulated, approved, registered or normal.
- Includes: centre-based full-time or part-time child care, certain types of home-based child care, nursery schools and preschools.
- These facilities are inspected, monitored and regulated by provincial/territorial/municipal authorities, and adhere to established standards for quality and safety.
Unlicensed
- Also known as unregulated, license-not-required or informal.
- Includes: private home-based child care, nannies, arrangements with friends, neighbours and family.
- Unlicensed child care providers are not inspected, regulated or monitored and are not required to meet most provincial/territorial standards.
- While they don’t follow the same oversight as licensed child care, they remain an essential and flexible option for many families.
Advantages and disadvantages of unlicensed child care
Advantages
- Flexibility: Home-based child care providers often have flexible hours and may offer extended hours or accommodate irregular schedules.
- Convenience: Home-based child care providers are often located in your neighbourhood, making them convenient and accessible.
- Personalized care: Children may receive more individual attention in smaller settings.
- Comfort and familiarity: A child might feel more comfortable in home-based child care because the setting is familiar to them.
- Direct communication: The ability for you to communicate directly with the child care provider might help facilitate communication on many fronts. It might lead to a closer relationship between the you/your family and the child care provider. This can in turn foster a stronger connection between the child care provider and your child.
- Mixed age groups: Like licensed home-based child care, unlicensed child care allows for mixed age groups, fostering sibling interaction and a sense of community.
Disadvantages
- No provincial/territorial monitoring: There’s no formal supervision or provincial enforcement of licensing laws.
- No replacement: Finding backup care can be difficult if the child care provider gets sick or is unable to care for your child for other reasons.
- Quality varies: Not all unlicensed child care providers offer the same quality of service since there’s no oversight mechanism in place.
- Health and safety risks: The child care provider may not adhere to the same safety and cleanliness standards as licensed programs.
- Limited resources: Without funding, unlicensed home-based child care providers may lack essential supplies, age-appropriate toys and educational materials, thereby limiting your child's developmental experiences.
If you choose an unlicensed child care provider, it’s recommended to have a written contract in place from the outset to mitigate any of the potential disadvantages listed above. A contract can help to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both you and the child care provider are aware of their responsibilities. The contract should include details such as: rates and fees, payment schedule, hours of operation, services included, sick day/holiday/termination policies, names of people authorized to pick up the children, and any specific arrangements you and the child care provider have agreed on. Here’s a sample contract for you to take a look at.
Please note: As the parent or guardian it’s your responsibility to assess the quality and suitability of both licensed and unlicensed child care providers. It’s important to note that both unlicensed and licensed providers must adhere to the limits on the number of children they can care for, which are set by each province/territory.
