Home Child Care Agencies

Licensing

Every Home Child Care Agency in Ontario must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and they are obligated to adhere to government regulations which promote the health, safety and well-being of the children and families enrolled in their program.

Important note: Informal or non-licensed home child care is not subject to government standards and this includes any private arrangement a family makes with an individual home provider outside of a Licensed Home Child Care Agency.

Maximum Number of Children Allowed

• The Child Care and Early Years Act indicates that a licensed home child care provider can care for a maximum of six children under the age of 13.
• Providers must count their own children under the age of six years and they can only care for three children under two years of age.

Understanding Licensed Home Child Care

Role of the Provider

Each Licensed Home Child Care Agency works with a group of approved providers who deliver the child care program within their own home. The providers are under contract with the Agency and although providers themselves are not licensed, they are monitored by the Agency to ensure that they are following the government’s rules and regulations and the Agency’s policies and procedures.

Role of the Agency

The Agency provides guidance, resources and professional development to help providers meet the needs of children in their care. This includes enhanced Public Health protocols related to infection prevention and control.

Families who receive care through a Licensed Agency are supported not only by the Home Child Care Provider but also by Home Visitors and a Supervisor.

• The Agency works with a family to determine their needs and preferences, and helps them select a home child care provider from the Agency’s approved list.
• The Agency visits the provider’s home at least once every three months and regularly reviews nutrition, activities and health & safety standards.
• The agency provides ongoing training, resources and support to the Home Child Care Provider.
• If families have concerns with their care, they can speak to the provider, the Home Visitor or the Supervisor.

Benefits of Licensed versus Unlicensed Home Child Care

Benefit	Licensed	Unlicensed
Oversight from the Province	Yes	No
Monthly visits by Agency Staff	Yes	No
Criminal Reference Check required	Yes	No
First Aid and CPR Training required	Yes	No
Support of an Agency Team	Yes	No

Assessment for Quality Improvement

Home Child Care Agencies that have a service agreement with the City are assessed yearly on program quality using the Home Child Care, Assessment for Quality Improvement (HCC-AQI).

The HCC-AQI is based on early childhood research and best practices and clearly outlines expectations, service standards and guidelines for Home Child Care Agencies.

The City of Toronto conducts unannounced visits to a selection of homes every year to assess for program quality using the HCC-AQI.

For details of the current assessment contact qualityassurance@toronto.ca.