Ratios

[samantha3]

Hello,

I am just wondering what the governments role in Ontario is regarding childcare age #'s and ratios. I currently live in BC and am looking to move...

In BC I currently am licensed to take a max of 7 children - with the rule being that I can only have four children under the age of four (with only two of those under the age of two). Do you have any regulations like this in Ont or can you just take a certain number of children and decide the ages yourself?

I have been reading lots of posts and it seems that in Ont you can take five children with no age restrictions, is this true?

Thank you

[jec]

In Ontario you are only allowed to have 5 children in care regardless of providers in the house. I know of a house in Brampton where the lady ran it like a daycare and had people working for her but, it got shut down as she is only to have 5 children in her care at one time at her home.
It depends if your with a licensed company like Wee watch or private. Wee watch or another licensed company will also consider your own children if they are under the age of 2 as part of your numbers and if private that isn't the case.
For me, I always included my own as part of my numbers regardless of their age because it was just as busy for me!

[sunnydays]

If you are with an agency, your own children count if they are under ten, not just the under two's. And they count in the ratios, so if you have a child of your own under 2, then you could only take one more under two, etc.

In Ontario you are only allowed to have 5 children in care regardless of providers in the house. I know of a house in Brampton where the lady ran it like a daycare and had people working for her but, it got shut down as she is only to have 5 children in her care at one time at her home.
It depends if your with a licensed company like Wee watch or private. Wee watch or another licensed company will also consider your own children if they are under the age of 2 as part of your numbers and if private that isn't the case.
For me, I always included my own as part of my numbers regardless of their age because it was just as busy for me!

[jec]

If you are with an agency, your own children count if they are under ten, not just the under two's. And they count in the ratios, so if you have a child of your own under 2, then you could only take one more under two, etc.

Sorry for the misinformation Samantha3- best to double check on all things before you open up. I'm going on what I was told but then I'm private but my point being, there are more regulations/restrictions when you are with an agency. Reggio has some good points about the pros and cons and good luck with the move

[samantha3]

wow, it is so different in the provinces! BC is mandatory to be regulated by the government. Although this has no effect on the way I operate because I can choose my own philosophies, policies, toys etc. the govt just regulates to make sure that child ratios etc are being followed. We do not have agencies to represent us out here. Crazy! Time to do some more research!

Thank you

[Sandbox Sally]

That's right. No age restrictions if you're a privately run day home in Ontario. The five children rule does not include your own kids. If you have ten of your own kids, you can still take five daycare kids of any age. If you want five babies, have at er...lol

[Emily3]

In Ontario, you can have 5 "paying" children plus your own children, regardless of age!!!!! I think that many home day care providers choose to be independent and you do not require a licence or affiliation with an agency.

Oops, yes, what alphaghetti said!!!!!

[Play and Learn]

For Ontario, if you're unlicensed (so private), you can only take 5 children under the age of 10 years. You can go with an agency, but there are different rules and regulations that take place.

[samantha3]

thank you for the info! Very helpful. In BC I am assigned to a 'licensing officer' through the government, does this happen in Ont?

[Play and Learn]

thank you for the info! Very helpful. In BC I am assigned to a 'licensing officer' through the government, does this happen in Ont?

If you go private, NO! With private, you're on your own!
If you go with an agency, I believe you just have to deal with the agency.