Ministère de la Famille
In Québec, there are different types of early childhood education and care service and applicable standards vary depending on the type of service chosen by the parents.
Recognized childcare services
Certain childcare services are recognized under the Educational Childcare Act (hereinafter called the Act).
They must:
- hold a permit issued by the Ministère or be recognized by the home childcare coordinating office
- comply with the Act and its regulations
- apply an early childhood educational program fostering the overall development of young children
Permit holders are inspected by Ministère staff members. In the case of home childcare providers, they receive monitoring visits by home childcare coordinating office staff members.
Non recognized childcare services
There is a type of childcare contemplated (and therefore regulated) by the Act, but it is not recognized. It is childcare provided by a natural person, who must respect eight conditions including the conditions to provide services in a private residence and to care for a maximum of six children. To the extent that the person respects the eight conditions, the person:
- is not required to hold a permit issued by the Ministère or to be recognized by a home childcare coordinating office
- is not required to apply an educational program
- is not subject to inspections by the Ministère, except in the case of a complaint concerning compliance with the requirements with which the person must comply, and is not subject to monitoring visits by a home child care coordinating office.
Unregulated childcare services (not contemplated by the Act)
Certain organizations that offer childcare activities are completely excluded from the Act and are not subject to any standard established by the Act. Those organizations include, amongst others:
- day camps
- public or community organizations that provide temporary childcare services as a complement or addition to their main activities, in the context of their overall mandate or during a specific activity with parents or children
Illegal childcare services
Unless a person has an unregulated organization or provides unrecognized regulated childcare services, it is illegal to provide childcare services in exchange a contribution from a parent, without having obtained recognition from a home childcare coordinating office or a permit issued by the Ministère.
Parents who have doubts regarding the legality of a childcare service are invited to contact the Centre des services à la clientèle et des plaintes of the Ministère.
Online
www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca
By telephone
Ministère de la Famille
Throughout Québec: 1-855-336-8568
The following table presents the characteristics of childcare and day care service facilities. You will also find a table presenting the characteristics of home childcare service providers.
Childcare centre (permit holder) | Reduced-contribution spaces | Service recognized under the Act | Cost - Calculation tools | Main characteristics | Number of children | Parent participation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Childcare centre (a non-profit organization or a cooperative) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Subsidized day care centre (a natural or legal person, usually non-profit) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|||
Non-subsidized day care centre (a natural or legal person, usually non-profit) |
No |
Yes |
|
Home childcare providers | Reduced-contribution spaces | Service recognized under the Act | Cost - Calculation tools | Main characteristics | Number of children | Parent participation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home childcare provider (subsidized) Recognized by a home childcare coordinating office |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Home childcare provider (non-subsidized) Recognized by a home childcare coordinating office |
No |
Yes |
|
|||
Provider of childcare in a private residence that meets certain requirements |
No |
No |
|
|
|
Educational program
Recognized early childhood education and care services have an obligation to apply an educational program. This program must promote the development of young children on all levels (physical, motor, emotional, social, moral, language, and cognitive). Among other things, it must also promote educational success and help children learn healthy lifestyle habits and adapt to communal life.
The Ministère de la Famille’s publishes the Accueillir la petite enfance program to serve as an inspiration to childcare service providers in designing their educational programs.
In order to take into account the particularity of early child development, educators and persons in charge of recognized home childcare services are invited to respect each child’s learning speed, show appreciation for their playing style, help them as they explore their interests, and work in partnership with their parents.
In so doing, childcare services prepare children for a good start in their schooling by enhancing their pleasure and capacity to learn.
Finding a childcare service
Parents looking for a place in a recognized childcare centre (childcare centre, daycare or home childcare) must register with La Place 0-5, single-window access to subsidized childcare service places.
Online
www.laplace0-5.com
www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca
By telephone
La Place 0-5
Montréal area: 514-270-5055
Elsewhere in Québec: 1-844-270-5055