I would look long and hard into opting into the EI program for self employed persons because from the research I did initially when they were bringing this program out once you opt IN you cannot opt OUT again ... so in the long run if you are planning on being self employed for the long run it might be more prudent to just SAVE for your own maternity leave or hirer someone to come into your home and 'run' your daycare for you while you are on your mat leave otherwise you are paying EI premiums for the next several decades until retirement or until you return to the 'work force' for the benefit of earning 55% of your 'taxable income' as a home childcare provider .... aka not the revenue you collect for clients but the amount you make after all your expenses which will be a PITTANCE based on the experience of most of us providers ~ honestly IMO it would be cheaper to just save up to take your mat leave or higher someone to come in and allow you all the 'write offs' during the mat leave to get you a nice tax refund while you are on mat leave