To license or not to license?

[NewCare4U]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to know everyone's opinions on licensing their DC. Do you recommend on licensing and why? From what I understand if you license a daycare it just means that you get a business # and that you can have more DCC under your care? Is this correct or am wrong?

Thanks in advance,
Reham

[Artsand crafts]

You don't need a license to get a business #. Currently you can have up to 5 dc kids plus your own if you have an unlicensed daycare. If you work for a licensed agency you can only have 5 kids, including your own (they will not count in the numbers if they are over 6yo)

I joined an agency during my first year and then I went unlicensed. I don't recommend joining an agency, since there is nothing you can't do by yourself and they take a big percentage of your income.

[NewCare4U]

Perfect! Thank you so much! I am unlicensed and private DC and have been for the 2 years that I have been doing this. Just wanted to know if it was beneficial for me if I were to license it. I guess Im good the way I am :)

[NewCare4U]

Is registering your DC and licensing your DC the same thing?

[Artsand crafts]

You cannot register or get a license for your hdc in Ontario. You can only join a licensed agency or go unlicensed.

[Secondtimearound]

I am private dayhome as well , in Ab we can have 6 children as well as our own . I was told I could register my dayhome but haven't so far .

[Montessori-Mom]

I am in Alberta and I think the only benefit to license is that you can offer subsidy and the agency handles fee collection and forms. they also find kids for you.

[Montessori-Mom]

our agencies only take 2-3%

[cfred]

In Ontario, agencies take 25%-30%, which is why most of us don't bother with them. Seems a bit steep to me.

[martymonty]

I have heard that once the children reach 10, you do not have to count them (like if they are here in the summer during school closures) I am in Ontario, is this correct. Someone stated it was once they were 6. Also, you don't have to count your own children, but what about if you are helping our your children with grandchildren, anyone know if you have to count them :)

[madmom]

under the current day nurseries act you may not care for more than 5 children under the age of 10 at one time not including your own children, sadly grandchildren count. The proposed changes are different but nothing has been passed so we have to follow the old rules for now

[cfred]

Right now, that's correct about children not counting after the age of 10. Of course, if Bill 10 goes through without amendments, that will change to 13. You do not have to count your own children of any age right now. If bill 10 passes, then you have to count them in your ratio until the age of 6. Also, if the bill passes, you will be limited to 2 children under 2 yrs and your children count in that as well. Yes, your grandchildren count in the ratio, now and in the future. Right now, it's only YOUR biological children who don't count.