You want to take care of children in your home?

Depending on the number of children you'd like to have in your care, you might be required to obtain a license or get certified as a home childcare provider. We detail in this part of the guide steps and formalities to get your official approval.

Just before this step, you have weighed the pros and cons of this business. It has many advantages, such as the freedom to set your own hours and of course not having a boss to report to but there are also some disadvantages. Are you compatible with this profession?

 The qualifications to become childcare assistant

Like all professions in early childhood, it is not enough to love children to be good at what you do. Of all the qualities necessary, two of them seem indispensable: patience and vigilance. Then come empathy and your ability to provide everything necessary for the comfort and consolation of the children in your care.
You will also be able to work independently and be in good physical condition to withstand long hours, sometimes up to 50 hours in one week.
Of course, you will also need to maintain a good relationship with parents to earn their and adapt to their needs, and understanding the need for discretion.

And your family in all this?

You alone can't take  the decision to become a home caregiver... it is a life-changing choice that will affect your entire family.

• Your spouse can have a say, especially if he has to deal with the children and the presence of parents as well. If he is at home during the day, it can be difficult or impossible for him to handle the noise and agitation, although natural, that comes with presence small children.
• Your teens or grown children will have to accept living in a small daycare with the obligations and good sense that it requires. You will have to explain to them that listening to death metal at full volume during nap-time isn't a good idea!
  
• Your little ones ages may be shaken up emotionally to have to "share" their mom. It is necessary to talk to them at length on the subject, to reassure them and especially to use the right words, bearing in mind their importance.
  

I was training for my ECE certificate and we were starting to discuss how our young children might feel about our business. The teacher gave us an example that none of us will ever forget.

"It's not complicated; your children feel the same way you would feel if your husband brought his secretary (blonde and curvaceous course) home and said, do not worry darling it's just for work!"

I saw lots of round eyes in the room, followed by a lot of laughs.... Let me tell you, I never told my little Jackson it was "just for my work".

You all good? Then go to the next step...

The process for becoming a home childcare provider

You can find information on the steps to becoming a childcare provider. What programs are there? How long does it take to become certified? Do I need a certification to work as a home caregiver for children?

Education and training in Early Childhood Education

If you want to provide licensed care and watch more than the minimum number of children you will need to receive training in Early Childhood Education or Development. The skills you learn will be invaluable and will reassure parents of your capabilities. 

Getting your home daycare license

How do you obtain a license to operate a daycare program in your home? What are the benefits offering licensed versus unlicensed care? Find out practical info on this page.