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YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO

Licensed Home Child Care for Families (Ages 0-12)

Everything you need to know to register your child for high-quality licensed home child care.

Benefits of Home Child Care

  • Your child will be in a safe, caring and stimulating home setting that meets the Child Care Early Years Act and its regulations.
  • You'll receive monthly updates about your child from a YMCA Home Consultant who inspects the home provider's home. They'll leave a Home Visit postcard after their visit to inform families of their visit as well as share a play highlight that they observed that day for each child.  
  • The confidence that your home provider has had a criminal reference check and has been screened through interviews and home assessments.
  • A home provider who is trained and has completed their Standard First Aid and CPR C certification.
  • Receiving tax receipts for your child’s care.
  • Option to apply for subsidy through the municipality.
  • Your child will enjoy outdoor play and receive individual attention.
  • Your children can be provided care together, if space is available.
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"Our home care provider has created a warm and nurturing environment where my children feel loved and safe. Her attention to detail and commitment to their overall development is truly commendable. I am grateful for their passion and expertise in early childhood education." 

– Anisha, parent


"As a parent, I deeply value the cultural familiarity my child’s home care provider offers, creating a nurturing environment that resonates with our family’s traditions and values." 

– Natasha, parent


"Our home care provider is one of the best, kindest, and most passionate child care professionals I have met. I am so happy with her care and service. My baby is, of course, happy with her, too!" 

– Anu, parent


"My provider is located very close to me and is like a home away from home for my daughter. I trust my provider as she provides daily updates and genuinely cares." 

– Snigdha, parent


Resources for Families

Register Your Child for Licensed Home Child Care

Read the Licensed Home Child Care Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

What is YMCA Licensed Home Child Care?

The Ministry of Education licenses private home child care agencies like the YMCA. These agencies then contract individual home providers who offer child care out of their home. These home providers may care for up to six children (including their own under the age of 4) from the ages of 6 weeks and up to 13 years of age, as set out by the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014. For more information, please email us LHCCregistration@ymcagta.org or call us at 905-943-9622 x 60357.

Where will my child be placed?

The YMCA Home Consultant will try to place your child with a home provider that is located near your home, school or work. Please visit our Find a Y page to see if there is a Licensed Home Child Care location near you.

What does a YMCA Home Consultant do?

Home providers are screened, approved, monitored and supported by YMCA Home Consultants who are Registered Early Childhood Educators and have many years of experience working with children and families under the age 13. They check that the child care home is safe for children according to child behaviour management, nutrition, health, sanitary practices, and the handling of serious occurrences as set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

How often does a YMCA Home Consultant visit the home provider’s home?

The Child Care Early Years Act, 2014 requires a home consultant to visit once every three months, however the YMCA will be making unannounced visits monthly.

What is the cost of care?

Child care fees vary depending on the age of your child; the type of care required and the region in which you live in. Our fees are indicated in our Home Child Care Parent Handbook.

How will I be billed for my child care?

Payments are by pre-authorized debit through credit card or debit Visa and paid on the first of each month. Families will receive a payment schedule upon registration confirmation.

Can I access subsidy if I go through the YMCA?

Yes. Families using licensed home child care through our agency have access to child care subsidy through the municipality. For more information and contact information, please see our Parent Handbook.

How do I meet the home provider?

When a space becomes available in a home that meets the family's needs, the YMCA will contact the family to inform them and provide the home child care provider's contact information. This allows the family to arrange an in-person interview or tour with their child. After the visit, if both the family and the home child care provider agree it's a good fit, the provider will have the family sign an agreement.

I have more than one child, can they be placed together?

Yes, this is an advantage of choosing home child care. If the home provider has space, siblings will be kept together.

What if I need care for my school age child?

Some home care providers may offer Before and After school care, including summer and school breaks.

I’ve inquired about a spot for home child care, now what?

You will receive an email acknowledging receipt. Our team thoroughly reviews each submission to ensure the best fit for your family. While our homes can accommodate up to 6 children, with a maximum of 3 under age two, placements aren't determined solely by the order of submission.

We take several factors into consideration, including the location of available spaces, your child's age, and the required hours of care. We will either contact you to contact a home child care provider to arrange an interview/tour or place you onto our waitlist until a space becomes available that can accommodate your needs.

What if I need weekends, or late or early hour care?

We try to accommodate the needs of families. Some home providers may offer extended hour care.

What kind of set up and/or programming does the home provider offer?

Home Providers follow all regulations set out in the Child Care Early Years Act, 2014 and all other regulations in the Municipalities they provide care in. Home providers personalize their program with regards to activities, variety of toys, community outings, and daily schedule. All licensed child care programs follow the Ministry of Education’s pedagogy for early years programming called How Does Learning Happen? Which is a resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children. Children succeed in settings where they actively learn through exploration, play and inquiry.

What do I need to supply for my child at home care?

Families with children still in diapers are required to supply all diapers and/or wipes as needed for their child. An extra set (or two) of clothes (plus outdoor wear according to weather conditions) in case of accidents or messy play for all ages is recommended.
Sunscreen, diaper creams, etc. are all the responsibility of the child’s family.

Does the home provider supply food?

In most of our homes, the home provider will serve a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack, following recommendations of the Canada Food Guide. Menus are shared with families, in case of special diets/allergies, parent/guardian may need to supply their own food.
Food and milk (bottles) for infants are supplied by the family.

What if I have a concern about the home provider?

We strongly encourage communication between the parent/guardian and their home provider. However, under certain circumstances, the YMCA Home Consultant should be called to mediate.

Do you have a home provider who would come into my home?

No, in our program, the home providers are contracted and regulated to care for children in the provider’s home.

I have a neighbour down the street that cares for children. Can I go to that home?

There are caregivers in the community who care for children privately and are not affiliated with an agency. We only place children in a home provider’s home who contracts their services with the YMCA Licensed Home Child Care.

What is the difference between YMCA Home Child Care and unlicensed child care?

Review Types of Child Care for a complete description of Licensed Home Child Care versus unlicensed child care.

Is transportation provided?

It is the responsibility of the family to drop off and pick up their child. School age children either walk or take the school bus. Some home providers may use their own vehicle. Home providers are only allowed to transport children if they have appropriate insurance, car seats (supplied by family) and the family’s permission.

How do I become a licensed home child care provider?

Visit our licensed home child care provider page to learn all about the benefits of partnering with the YMCA. If you are interested, complete our Interest Form and a dedicated YMCA Home Consultant will connect with you directly once your form has been reviewed. All questions will be answered at that time. 

Please email us with any questions you may have about our programs or services.

Licensed Home Child Care Inquiry Form

Interested in YMCA Licensed Home Child Care? Complete the online inquiry form below.

A member of our Licensed Home Child Care team will contact you regarding our space availability.

Parent/Guardian's Information



Child(ren)'s Information

Note: If you have more than three children that require care, please indicate in the comments below.



Where do you need care?


Note: if you’d like to request a specific home/location, please provide the location's name in the comments. You can view a full listing of our Licensed Home Child Care locations by using the Find a Y tool.


CHILD CARE FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Fees for YMCA Licensed Home Child Care programs vary depending on the age of your child, the program you select, and region. For detailed information about program fees, use the Find a Y tool to locate the YMCA Licensed Home Child Care location at which you plan to request care.

To inquire about child care subsidy, please contact your local regional subsidy office.

Subsidy is determined through an application process and your financial circumstances.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?

Read our FAQ to learn more about next steps in the registration process.

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