Regulated Childcare:
Regulated childcare refers to childcare programs and services that are subject to regulation by provincial or territorial governments. When a childcare space is regulated, it is inspected and monitored by the relevant governmental body to ensure compliance with established standards. If a childcare program or service meets these standards, they become licensed.
Childcare standards vary by province and territory, but generally include requirements for..
adult-to-child ratios
staff qualifications
facility and equipment standards
Goal of Standards: Create environments that are safe and developmentally beneficial
Unregulated Childcare:
Unregulated childcare refers to childcare programs and services that are not regulated by provincial or territorial governments, meaning that they do not need to adhere to the jurisdictional standards that govern licensed childcare. This type of care is unlicensed and includes informal arrangements such as care provided by relatives, babysitters, and nannies, as well as some small, home-based childcare providers.
Equity Component:
Unregulated childcare is often more affordable than regulated care as providers do not need to meet as many qualifications and standards. This affordability has made unregulated care an essential option for lower-income families. However, many childcare advocates argue that unregulated care can widen social divides, as regulated spaces typically offer more enriching learning environments with better-trained staff and resources. As a result, there is growing demand in Canada for greater access to regulated childcare options.
Public Childcare
Public childcare refers to government-run childcare. For a childcare program or service to be considered “public” it must be entirely funded by the state.
Private Childcare
Private Childcare refers to childcare programs that are independently run. Private childcare programs and services typically still receive some government funding and represents the majority of childcare services provided in Canada.
For-Profit vs Not-For-Profit: Private childcare either falls into the categories of for-profit or not-for-profit.
For-Profit Childcare:
For-profit childcare services and programs are private business meaning that owners retain decision making power and collect excess revenues.
Not-For-Profit Childcare:
Not-for-profit childcare services are accountable to the communities they serve. Decisions are reviewed by a board of directors, allowing parents to have a voice. Any surplus profits are reinvested to improve service quality.
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This table compares some differences in licensure requirements for regulated childcare spaces across provinces and territories. The table was developed from data found within the Childcare Resource and Research Unit's 2019 publication, Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada.
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| Province or Territory | Minimum Staffing Qualifications for Centre-Spaces | Minimum Provider Qualifications For Family Childcare | Adult-to-Child Ratios for Centre Spaces | Maximum Capacity for Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Completion of one of the following is required: | |||
| • Child Care Orientation Course | ||||
| • Three-credit college/university course related to child development | ||||
| • Step Ahead Family Day Home Training or Family Child Care Training Program | • Follow a training plan made in collaboration with Family day home | |||
| agencies | < 12 Months: 1:3 12 months < 19 months: 1:4 19 months < 3 years: 1:6 3 years < 4.5 years: 1:8 4.5 years and older: 1:10 | • Maximum of 6 children under 12 years | ||
| • Maximum 3 children 36 months or younger | ||||
| • Maximum 2 children 24 months or younger | ||||
| British Columbia | • Basic early childhood education training program from a recognised post secondary ECE program | •20-hour course in child development, guidance, health and safety, or nutrition | Under 36 months: 1:4 30 months - school entry: 1:8 Preschool (part-day): 1:10 Kindergarten - Grade 1: 1:12. Above grade 1: 1:15 Multi-age: 1:8 | • Maximum of 7 children under 12 years |
| • If a child under 12 months is present maximum 3 children under 48 months, with no more than 1 child under 12 months | ||||
| • If no child under 12 months is present maximum 4 children under 48 months, with no more than 2 children under 24 months | ||||
| Manitoba | •[Must be recognised as a Child Care Assistant (CCA) | •40-hour post-secondary course relevant to early childhood education or family child care, to be completed within the first year of operation. | 12 weeks - 2 years: 1:4 2 years - 6 years: 1:8 6 years - 12 years: 1:15 | • Maximum of 8 children under 12 years |
| • Only 5 may be under 6 years | ||||
| • No more than 3 of the 5 may be under 2 years | ||||
| New Brunswick | •The facility operator or one in four staff must have a one-year ECE certificate or equivalent. | • Introduction to Early Childhood Education course, including 30 hours of curriculum training and 60 hours of introductory early childhood education | < 2 years: 1:3 2 - 3 years: 1:5 3 - 4 years: 1:8 4 - 5 years: 1:10 School-age: 1:15 | •Up to 3 infants, 5 children ages 2-5, or 9 children 6+ years • If a mixture of ages, max 6 children total |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Minimum trainee certification, including: | |||
| • Completion of a 30–60 hour orientation course | ||||
| • Proof of enrollment in a post-secondary early childhood education program | •Minimum of Trainee Level Certification; however, providers caring for infants must have at least Level I certification with an infant classification | 0 – 24 months: 1:4. 0 – 36 months: 1:5 (18 – 36 months) 1:5 18 months – five years: 1:7 School-age: 1:15 | • Maximum 7 children if none are infants or toddlers | |
| • Up to 3 infants allowed | ||||
| • If caring for a mixture of ages, maximum 5 children | ||||
| Northwest Territories | - Completion of a one year post-secondary certificate in child development | • Annual course in childhood development | 0 - 12 months: 1:3 13 - 24 months: 1:4 25 - 35 months: 1:6 3 years: 1:8 4 years: 1:9 5 years: 1:10 | • Maximum 8 children under 12, |
| • Maximum 6 children under 6 | ||||
| • Maximum 3 children under 3 | ||||
| • Maximum 2 children under 2 | ||||
| Nova Scotia | Level I certification which requires: | • Completion of Day Care Training - Level 1, created by the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) | 0 – 17 months: 1:4 18 – 35 months: 1:6 36 months – 5 years: 1:8 30 months - 5 years (part-day): 1:12 School-age: 1:15 | • Maximum 7 children under 12 |
| • Maximum 3 children under 3 years | ||||
| • Maximum 2 infants | ||||
| Nunavut | - No specific educational requirements other than having an understanding of early childhood development. - Staff must be accepted by the children and represent the cultural background of the children\ | Same as centre staffing requirements | 0 - 24 months: 1:4 2 - 5 years: 1:8 5 - 11 years 1:10 | • Maximum 8 children under 12 |
| • Maximum 6 children under 5 | ||||
| • Maximum 3 children under 3 | ||||
| • Maximum 2 children under 2 | ||||
| Ontario | - Must be a member in good standing with the The College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) and a Registered Early Childhood Educator RECE | •Membership revoked under the Early Childhood Educators Act | < 12 months: 1:3 12 - 24 months: 1:4 2 - 12 years: 1:8 | • Maximum 6 children under 13 |
| • Maximum 3 children under 2 | ||||
| Prince Edward Island | Must have ECE Level I certification, which requires: | |||
| • Completion of a 30-hour course in each of the following subject areas, |
◦ Child growth and development
◦ Child guidance
◦ Early childhood pedagogy
• Completion of 45 hours of approved training (to be repeated every three years). | •Completion of a 30-hour course related to the care and education of infants and preschoolers. | < 21 months: 1:3 22 months - 3 years: 1:5 3 years - school entry: 1:10 School age: 1:15 | • Maximum 8 children • Must maintain ratios as per the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations | | Quebec | - College diploma in early childhood education or any other equivalent training recognised by the Minister | • Complete a training program of at least 45 hours covering child development, health, safety, diet, and leadership in a "life environment" • Complete a 6-hour proficiency course annually | 0-17 months: 1:5 18 months – 4 years: 1:8 4 – 5 years: 1:10 >5 years: 1:20 | • Maximum 6 children under 9 years • Maximum 2 children under 18 months | | Saskatchewan | Must have ECE Level I certification, which requires: • Completion of an ECE orientation from a post-secondary institution, or • Completion of nine credit units (three courses) directly related to early childhood education. | • Completion of an online information session • 6 hours of professional development workshops annually • Completion of a 40-hour introductory early childhood education course | < 18 months: 1:3. 19 - 29 moths: 1:5. 30 months - 6 years: 1:10 Grade 1 - 12 years: 1:15 | • Maximum 8 children under 12 years • Maximum 5 children under the age of 6 • Maximum 2 children under 30 months | | Yukon | 60 hour course in early childhood development | same as centre staffing requirements | Up to 18 months: 1:4 18 months - 3 years: 1:6 3 years - kindergarten age: 1:8 Grade 1 – 12 years: 1:12 | • Maximum of 4 infants • Maximum of 8 children, all over 18 months |
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It is important to note that centres are required by their respective governmental regulatory bodies to have a certain percentage of staff with higher certifications than those outlined in this table. Furthermore, the higher the certification an individual acquires, the higher their wage tends to be.
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