For care professionals · Child care

Do I need a licence to provide child care in my home in Canada?

It depends on your province and how many children you care for. Each province and territory sets its own child care law. Some, such as British Columbia and Quebec, allow limited care in a private home without a licence; above the limit you need a licence, permit or agency approval. Check your own province’s act first.

In 60 seconds

There is no single Canadian rule on home child care licensing, because each province and territory writes its own child care law.
British Columbia’s Community Care and Assisted Living Act requires a licence to operate premises where a person provides care to 3 or more people not related to them by blood or marriage.
Quebec’s Educational Childcare Act requires a permit or recognition to provide childcare for payment, with an exception for a person working on their own account caring for up to two children in a private residence.
Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care Act requires a licence to operate a child care facility, and family home child care is provided by care providers approved by licensed agencies.
Babysitting or nanny care in the family’s own home is generally treated differently from care in your home, but confirm this with your province.

Is home child care licensed the same way across Canada?

No. Each province and territory has its own child care act and regulations, so the point at which home child care needs a licence, and who issues it, differs across Canada. Some provinces license the provider directly, others work through licensed agencies or coordinating offices. Always read the rule for the province where you provide care.

The Canadian Paediatric Society describes the general picture: centre-based programs must be licensed, while some home-based providers choose to be licensed and supervised by provincial or territorial home child care agencies. The details, including how many children count and whether your own children are included, are set province by province.

When does home child care need a licence in British Columbia?

In British Columbia, the Community Care and Assisted Living Act says a person without a licence must not operate a community care facility. The Act defines that as premises where a person provides care to 3 or more people not related to them by blood or marriage. Licensed child care must also meet the Child Care Licensing Regulation.

That regulation covers matters such as first aid and educator qualifications in licensed care. If you plan to care for children from more than one family in your home in BC, read the Act and regulation and contact your regional health authority’s licensing office for your exact situation.

Do I need a permit for home child care in Quebec?

In Quebec, section 6 of the Educational Childcare Act says no one may provide childcare for payment to a child covered by the Act unless they hold a permit or are recognized as a home educational childcare provider by an accredited coordinating office. Some situations are exempt.

The Act applies to children from birth until they start school. Read section 6 on LégisQuébec, or contact the Quebec ministry responsible for family services, before relying on an exception.

A person working on their own account caring for up to two children in a private residence where childcare is not already being provided
A person working on their own account caring only for children who ordinarily live together, in a private residence where childcare is not already being provided
Day camp and vacation camp operators, and certain occasional childcare listed in the Act

How does home child care work in Nova Scotia?

In Nova Scotia, the Early Learning and Child Care Act says no one may operate a child care facility without a valid licence. Family home child care programs are provided by care providers approved by licensed agencies, which approve and monitor both the provider and the home. The regulations can exempt some services.

Because the exemptions are in the regulations rather than the Act, check with the Nova Scotia department responsible for early learning and child care before caring for other families’ children in your home.

How do I check the home child care rules in my province?

Find your province’s child care act and regulations, look for the section on who needs a licence and any exceptions, and confirm with your provincial child care licensing office. Ask specifically how many children you may care for, whether your own children count, and whether age groups change the limit.

An honest caution: this article summarizes three provinces as examples and statutes change. It is not legal advice. For anything close to a limit, get the answer from your province in writing.

Find your province’s child care act; the Canadian Red Cross keeps a page linking to provincial child care legislation.
Read the licence requirement and any listed exceptions or exemptions.
Check the regulations for limits on numbers and ages of children.
Call or write to your provincial licensing office and keep their answer.
Check municipal zoning, your lease or condo rules, and your home insurance.

What changes if I become a licensed home child care provider?

Becoming licensed or approved usually means meeting provincial standards and accepting oversight. In British Columbia, a medical health officer issues the licence and can inspect facilities and investigate complaints. Licensed care must also follow the Child Care Licensing Regulation, which sets rules on matters such as first aid and educator qualifications.

In Nova Scotia, licensed agencies approve family child-care homes, enter into agreements with care providers and monitor both against the regulations. In Quebec, recognized home educational childcare providers work with an accredited coordinating office. The trade-off is more paperwork, standards and outside checks in return for being able to care for more children within the law.

Before applying, ask your provincial licensing office what the process involves, how long it takes and what your home would need, such as safety features, space and training.

Can I use Maple Care if I provide home child care?

Yes, you can create a free professional profile at /apply/ and respond to child care requests in your area. Maple Care does not license, inspect or supervise anyone, and a Maple Care badge is not a licence. You remain responsible for meeting your province’s child care rules, including any limit on how many children you care for.

Our team reviews every account, and certifications you upload, such as first aid or a vulnerable sector check, earn a badge once our team checks them. Badges are a screening signal, not a background check. If you hold a provincial licence, tell families directly so they can confirm it with your province.

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Frequently asked questions

Do babysitters or nannies need a licence?

Generally, caring for one family’s children in the family’s own home is treated differently from running child care in your home, and no single national licence exists for babysitters or nannies. Provincial rules still vary, so check with your province if your arrangement is unusual, such as caring for several families at once.

Do my own children count toward the limit?

It depends on the province. In British Columbia, for example, the Act counts people who are not related to the caregiver by blood or marriage. Other provinces word their rules differently, and age can matter too. Ask your provincial licensing office directly and keep their answer in writing.

Is unlicensed home child care illegal?

Not necessarily. Some provinces allow a small amount of care in a private home without a licence, up to a limit set in their law. Quebec, for example, exempts a person working on their own account caring for up to two children in a private residence. Above your province’s limit, operating without a licence or permit can break the law.

What do parents expect from an unlicensed home provider?

The Canadian Paediatric Society tells parents that with unlicensed home care they need to do what a licensing agency would do, such as asking for a valid police background check and checking safety precautions. Being ready with a vulnerable sector check, first aid certificate and a clear safety plan helps.

Does home child care need a business licence from my city?

Some municipalities have business licence or zoning rules for home-based businesses, separate from provincial child care licensing. Check with your city or town hall, and review your lease, condo rules and home insurance before children from other families come to your home.

Where can I find my province’s child care law?

Start with your province’s official statute website or its ministry responsible for child care. The Canadian Red Cross also keeps a health and safety legislation page with links to child care legislation by province and territory, which can help you find the right act.

Sources and evidence

Last updated: 2026-08-29