Independent Home-based Child Care

This kind of care is subject to only one of the regulations of the Day Nurseries Act. Caregivers may care for no more than five children, under the age of ten years, per household. This limit does not include the caregiver's own children. Any caregiver who cares for more than five children on the premises at one time, must be licensed under the Act. Assuming that the caregiver does not exceed this five child limit, none of the other regulations of the Day Nurseries Act apply to these kinds of child care arrangements.

Some independent caregivers chose to list their services on the Registry of Home-Based Child Care, a service that provides another option to help parents to find home-based child care in the City of Hamilton. Independent caregivers have chosen not to be affiliated with a licensed home child care agency.

All aspects of the services offered by independent caregivers - hours of operation, fees, policies, philosophy - are determined by the caregiver or are negotiated individually with the parents of the children in their care.

Home-based child care may also be provided in the child's own home. Please review Nanny Services and Care in Your Home for information about this kind of child care service.

Parents will want to review How to Choose Child Care and in addition to consider the following:

• Ask for references.
• Have a written contract for care.
• Clarify the caregiver's policy on issuing receipts for fees paid.
• Clarify the arrangements if the caregiver is ill or unable to provide service.
• Does the caregiver have any connections in the community with Caregiver Networking and Support Groups or Home Child Care Support Services?

If you are considering providing an independent home child care service, you are urged to contact Child Care Information Hamilton or Home Child Care Support Services for information and resources which will support you in your efforts to provide a high quality service to families.