I think we are talking about two different things perhaps.

In Ontario as long as you care for 5 or few children under the age of 10 you do not required a 'license to operate a day nursery' you can operate your business privately as long as your resident is ZONED for home business and as long as you abide by the fire code and other bilaws and so forth.

Not all residential areas are zoned for home business though - some regions have bi-laws restricting the use of home business in residential areas to NONE, some are basic guideline such as no more that 25% of your homes square footage can be a home business and others are that you have to have be approved on an individual basis and approved depending on the type of business - aka you need a permit from the city.

Is this what you are meaning that in your area you need to have a special permit to operate a home business in your area regardless of if it is home childcare or a hair salon or a massage parlor and what not?