Opening a licensed childcare centre is serious work. Here is the full picture.

Before you spend a dollar, answer these questions with real data:

• Is there a waitlist gap in your community? Talk to your local CMSM or DSSAB.
• What age groups will you serve? Each has different ratios, space requirements, and fee structures.
• Do you have a qualified ECE with a supervisor designation available? Without one, you cannot open.
• Do you have access to capital of $50K minimum? Even heavily CWELCC-funded centres need equity.
• Will you operate as a non-profit, a private for-profit, or a cooperative? Each has different CWELCC eligibility rules in some provinces.

Space is where most childcare centre plans succeed or fail. The requirements are strict.

Ontario minimums (Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014):

• Indoor play space: 2.8 square metres per child (for all age groups)
• Outdoor play space: 5.6 square metres per child (may be shared or waived in some cases)
• Separate sleep room for infants with cribs spaced 90cm apart
• Accessible washroom facilities on the same floor as childcare
• Staff washroom and work area separate from child areas
• Kitchen or meal prep area meeting public health standards

Space types to consider:

• Church or community hall (often affordable leases with community goodwill)
• School board surplus space (ask your local board)
• Purpose-built commercial space
• Municipal facility leases (contact your municipality)
• New residential development partnerships (many developers are required to include childcare)

• Incorporate or register your business (federal or provincial)
• Register for HST/GST if applicable
• Obtain general liability insurance (minimum $2M per occurrence for most inspections)
• Ensure your director (supervisor) holds an ECE diploma and is a Registered ECE (RECE) in Ontario
• Ensure all staff and volunteers have current vulnerable sector checks
• Ensure all staff have current Standard First Aid plus Infant/Child CPR

Ontario staff-to-child ratios (select age groups):

In Ontario, your licence application is submitted to the Ministry of Education. Here is what you submit:

• Completed application form (via the ministry's online portal)
• Floor plan with room dimensions and designated uses
• Written policies: nutrition, illness, rest, screen time, prohibited practices, emergency procedures
• Proof of business registration
• Staff qualifications documentation
• Insurance certificate
• Proof of zoning approval

Inspections required before licence is issued:

• Ministry of Education Program Advisor inspection (reviews policies, program quality, space)
• Local Public Health Unit inspection (kitchen, hygiene standards, diaper change areas)
• Local Fire Department inspection (emergency egress, fire suppression, capacity)
• Building permit and occupancy approval (from your municipality)

CWELCC funding is the most significant financial opportunity available to new childcare operators in Canada. Apply as early as possible.

Before you open your doors, you need operating systems in place. Your licensing inspection will check that your policies exist. But you also need the systems to run them daily.

• Attendance and sign-in/sign-out system (required for licensing)
• Pickup authorization system (who is permitted to collect each child, including photo ID verification)
• CWELCC subsidy tracking and reconciliation
• Family communication system (daily reports, incident reports, notices)
• Enrollment and waitlist management
• Staff scheduling and timesheet tracking
• Billing and invoice system for parent fees