Home child care agencies offer early learning and care in approved homes for children ranging in age from infancy to 12 years. While the hours of care available vary from home to home, licensed home child care can often accommodate families who work shifts or who need part-time, weekend or overnight care.

Watch this video to see what licensed Home Child Care looks like since the COVID-19 health & safety measures have been put in place.

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.

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.

Watch this video to learn about the benefits of licensed home child care and why families should consider this child care option.

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

 

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.

Licensed Home Child Care Agencies are looking for Providers who are interested in caring for children in their own home, and who are committed to providing the nurture, care and early learning & play experiences that promote a child’s well-being.

Hear from Home Child Care Providers about why they decided to become a provider with a Licensed Agency.

Benefits

There are many benefits to becoming a Provider with a Licensed Home Child Care Agency.

While a Provider has the independence of running their own business, when they partner with a Licensed Home Child Care Agency they will receive support with many aspects of their business including:

  • finding and placing children
  • collecting parent fees
  • professional development, training & learning opportunities
  • resources, guidance & advice

Families also benefit because they will know that the home is meeting quality standards set out by the Ontario Government and the City of Toronto, that are meant to ensure the health and well-being of their children.

Have more questions? Contact any one of the Licensed Agencies serving Toronto.

Licensed Home Child Care Agencies serving Toronto

The City helps eligible families with the cost of child care through a Child Care Fee Subsidy. A family can use their Child Care Fee Subsidy with the agencies identified below.

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) is a Federal-Provincial agreement to reduce the cost of child care for families. CWELCC participating agencies are identified below.

Licensed home child care agency Child Care Fee Subsidy
may be available
Participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System General service area
Bright Minds Care
647-947-7791
no yes Scarborough and North York
Day Care Connection
416-698-0750
yes yes O’Connor E of Bayview, south to the lake. Parliament east to Victoria Park
Daycare Consulting Services
416-494-5898
no yes Highway 427 to Victoria park, Steeles to Lake Shore Blvd
Etobicoke Home Child Care Agency
416-746-7101
yes yes North and Central Etobicoke
Family Day Care Services
416-922-9556
yes yes Steeles south to the lake, Leslie east to the Pickering border (all of Scarborough)
Garderie Familiale
647-238-3396
no yes Rosedale Toronto Centre
Heritage Home Child Care Services
416-754-8814
yes yes Victoria Park east to Morningside, Steeles south to the Eglinton
Muppets Private Home (There’s No Place Like Home)
416-694-7888
yes yes Broadview E to Victoria Park, Danforth S to Queen
Network Child Care Services
416-530-0722
yes yes Bathurst west to Jane, Lawrence south to Lake Shore Blvd
RUMO Child Care Services
416-818-6669
no yes west to Highway 427, east to Morningside Ave., north to Steeles Ave., and south to the lake
The Macaulay Child Development Centre
416-789-7441 x277
yes yes Steeles south to St. Clair, Humber River east to Yonge
Toronto Home Child Care
416-392-3326
yes yes Most of the City of Toronto except the area between Victoria Park west to the Humber River, St Clair south to the lake
Twinkle Stars Private Home Day Care Services
416-652-1384 x221
yes yes Sheppard south to St. Clair, Dufferin west to Jane
Wee Watch – Humber Day Care Services
416-233-9191
no yes Yonge St west to the Humber River, Steeles south to Eglinton
Wee Watch – Kathy Gamblen
416-283-6470
no yes Steeles south to the lake, Markham Rd east to the Pickering border
Wee Watch – Margaret Ann Todd
416-283-6470
no yes former City of Scarborough
Wee Watch – McKay Crescent
416-748-0770
no yes South of Steeles to the Lake, Hwy 427 (in the North) and Etobicoke Creek, Hwy 400 (in the North) and Humber River
Wee Watch – Morna Day Care
416-283-6470
no yes Steeles south to the lake, Victoria Park east to Markham Rd
Wee Watch – Toronto West Swirling Leaves
437-778-0218
no yes Bayview west to the Humber River, Lawrence south to the lake
Wee Watch – Valleywood Drive
416-233-9191
no yes York Centre
West End Home Child Care Services
416-537-4154
yes yes Jane east to Bathurst, St. Clair south to Lake Shore Blvd and Parliament west to Bayview, Danforth south to Lake Shore Blvd