Become a Licensed Home Child Care Provider

Our consultants are available to support you through the entire process, including completing the necessary paperwork, setting up your home, finding clientele, doing interviews, etc.

We have an extensive resource lending library to help get you started, including toys for all ages and equipment such as cots, booster seats, playpens, strollers, etc.

We can proceed if you are a tenant and rent; however, we would need a letter from the landlord stating that they give you permission to run a home child care business on premise.

There are no requirements regarding your educational background. A love for working with children and providing them with an educational program is what we are looking for. We will be looking for 3 references preferably persons that have seen you with children.

If you do have your ECE diploma, you will have to maintain your registration with the College of ECE.

The YMCA collects all fees from the parents and your service fees are directly deposited into your bank account twice a month according to the attendance and agreements signed with the parents. The registration and billing department works directly with the families to collect fees, deal with any NSF payments, etc. Parents would be directed to speak with the registration and billing department for any financial questions.

The “Enhancement Grant” is government funded. You will receive an additional $20/day that you are open and have at least one child in care. It is not an addition/child; therefore, whether you have one child or 6 children it is a $20/day grant. This would be added to you pay twice a month.

Both are acceptable. The YMCA does have an extensive waitlist in which we refer families to our home child care providers. If you know someone that is looking for care, you can go through the same process to bring them onboard.

Families are required to give 2 weeks’ notice when withdrawing their child from care. Therefore, even if the family is removing their child from care immediately, you are still entitled to receive payment according to the attendance agreement. This allows you two weeks to interview families to fill the space.

Licensed home child care follows the document “How does learning happen” which is not a specific curriculum. As a self-employed contractor, you are able to develop your own educational program plan around the interests of the children in your care.

The process to Becoming a YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Provider (including Ministry requirements):

1. In-person Orientation Meeting:
   a. YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Consultants.
   b. In-home Interview and Inspection with YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Consultants.
   c. Submit 3 References.
2. Obtain/submit all required paperwork necessary in becoming a YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Provider (see below.)
3. Final Inspection:
   a.Purchase of Service: Completion of paperwork and signing;
   b.Review YMCA Risk Management Techniques, Quality Assurance, and Ministry Checklist.
4. Start-up:
   a. Home-based Child Care Starter Kit
   b. Referral of families

The health, safety and well-being of the children are top priority for the YMCA. All YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Providers must have the following:

• House insurance; $2,000,000.00 (small business rider – up to 6 children)
• Car insurance; $2,000,000.00 (or signed waiver that they will not transport children)
• Valid driver’s License or signed waiver
• Immunization; current and on file; everyone in the home
• Pet Vaccination; rabies; if you have pets
• Current Intermediate First Aid and CPR Certification – Level C
• Rent letter from landlord (if applicable)
• Criteria set by the North Bay Fire Department must be adhered to (Fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and metal dryer vent)
• Fire escape plan posted
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check ; for everyone in the home over 18 years old and frequent visitors over 18 years old
• Knowledge of Child Care Early Years Act
• Child protection video (LMS)

All Home Child Care Programs are required to follow the Child Care Early Years Act. The role of the YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Consultant is to ensure those regulations are compliant (in place and followed). YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Consultants will complete various scheduled and unscheduled visits; audits and/or inspections throughout the year to ensure YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Providers are supported and are following the requirements of the Child Care Early Years Act.

The following Quality Audits are conducted:

• Regular support visits (unscheduled);
• Quarterly audits/inspections (unscheduled- every three months);
• Monitoring of attendance invoices (twice per month);
• Annual purchase of service agreement meeting/signing (pre-scheduled).

Child Registration Process

All child care inquiries will be screened and processed through the YMCA Children’s Services Administration Office. The YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Consultant will:

• Assess the needs of the families requiring care;
• Contact available YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Providers to give detailed information;
• Ask the YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Provider if the family requiring care is a fit for their service;

The YMCA Children’s Services Administration Office will complete all registrations, collect all payments and confirm with the YMCA Licensed Home Child Care Provider an agreed upon start date.