Licensed VS unlicensed child care: Which is best for your kids?

The YMCA offers several child care options, including full-day licensed centre-based programs for children 0-3.8 year olds, licensed before- and after-school programs for children ages 4-6 and 6-12 year olds as well as program options during  school breaks.

But between the YMCA and both private and public child care options, deciding where to place your children can be a tough decision.

Your search for child care should start with education. Learn more about the child care options available to Ontarians, including the difference between licensed and unlicensed child care providers.

Here are some tips and information that can help you choose the right child care program for your child:

Licensed Centre- based Care

All child care centres in Ontario are regulated by the Day Nurseries Act and are issued annual licenses by the Ministry of Education. Take a look at the Ministry of Education’s website to read about the various regulations for licensed centre-based programs, including:

• Staff qualifications


• Ratios of staff to children


• Safety of the environment


• Cleanliness of the environment


• Behavior management

When visiting a licensed centre-based program, ask yourself:

• Did I feel welcome when I arrived?


• Did the children appear engaged in play?
  
  
  
  • After my child is enrolled can I drop in at any time?
  
  
  • Was the centre clean?
  
  
  • Were toys and equipment in good repair?
  
  
  • Was the license posted where families can see it?
  
  
  • Does the centre have any security measures in place?
  
  
  • Did the staff leading the tour speak to staff qualification and on-going training?
  
  
  • How is food prepared? Was there a menu posted for families to easily review? Does the menu follow Canada’s Food Guide recommendations as well as the Day Nurseries Act regulations?
  
  
  • Does the program follow a specific curriculum or philosophy about development?
  
  
  • Is there a program plan detailing daily activities?
  
  
  
  

 Home Child Care

Home child care programs are another option for many families for various reasons. It’s important to understand the different types of home child care programs, including licensed home child care and informal home child care. The main difference is that licensed home child care is regulated by the Day Nurseries Act and licenses are issued by the Ministry of Education, whereas informal home child care settings are not regulated.

A few things to think about when considering Licensed Home Child Care:

• Did you feel welcomed when you arrived for a visit?


• Did you visit when the program was operating?


• Can you bring your child for a visit prior to his/her first day?


• After your child is enrolled can you drop in and visit at any time?


• How many children are being cared for in that setting? Does the child care provider have children of their own who they are also caring for?


•  What policies are in place for the caregiver set by the licensing agency? I.e. fire safety, sanitary practices, hazardous products, serious occurrences, police reference checks, ill health, etc.


• Is there a planned menu in accordance with Canada Food Guide?


• Is a daily routine and program plan available?


• For younger children under 2 years, is there a communication tool in place to share some of your child’s experiences throughout the day? I.e. sleep duration, toileting, food consumption.


• Is fee assistance available?

Check out the Home Child Care Association of Ontario’s website for more information on home childe care.

Trust your gut

Above all else, trust your own judgment when searching for the right child care program for your kids. Make sure you’re informed before you start the hunt and explore your options, but your parental instincts will kick in when you have found the right program for your little ones.