Childcare services in Québec
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The mission of childcare services
Types of childcare services
Finding a childcare space
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The mission of childcare services
According to Ministère de la Famille, educational childcare providers have a threefold mission: 1) ensure the well-being, health, and safety of the children in their care; 2) provide an environment that fosters children’s development on all levels, from birth to school; and 3) prevent the appearance of learning, behavioural or social integration difficulties later in life.Recognized educational childcare providers must adhere to a program that is tailored to young children and that emphasizes learning through play. Recognized childcare services of all types are required to implement a program that fosters all aspects of children’s development and provides a foundation for their future development and growth. The educational program must also include prevention and promotion components that provide the child with an environment conducive to developing healthy eating and lifestyle habits as well as healthy behaviour.
Types of childcare services
There are several types of childcare available in Québec, each with its own particularities. Read on to learn more and decide which is best for your family.
Recognized childcare services
Non-recognized childcare services
Recognized childcare services
Home childcare recognized by a coordinating office
Childcare centres (CPE)
There are 4 types of childcare services recognized by the Government of Québec. All 4 carry this logo.
Subsidized daycare
Non-subsidized daycare
Childcare centres
A childcare centre (CPE) is a non-profit or co-operative organization that provides educational childcare services at one or more locations. CPE boards of directors have at least seven members, at least two-thirds of which must be parents who currently use the centre or will use it in the future.Childcare services at a childcare centre are usually subsidized, which means that the vast majority of the spaces are available are subsidized spaces.
Did you know?
There are fewer spaces available for infants age 0 to 18 months because the ratio of children per educator is lower.
Home childcare services recognized by a coordinating office
Home childcare services are provided by a person in a private residence. The vast majority of home childcare providers recognized by a coordinating office (CO) provide subsidized spaces. To check the quality of childcare at home childcare facilities recognized by a CO, inspectors will drop in unannounced. Home childcare providers can accommodate up to six children with one educator and up to nine children with two.
Did you know?
Contact your local coordinating office to find out which home childcare providers have spaces available! Spaces often become available in summer as children age four or five as of September 30 start school.
Subsidized daycare
A subsidized daycare provides childcare services at a centre. In most cases, the centre is owned by a private individual who holds a subsidized daycare permit. Daycare centres are required to form a parent advisory committee to deal with all aspects of educational childcare for children in attendance, but they do not have a board of directors where parents act in a decision-making capacity. A subsidized daycare provides subsidized childcare spaces.
Non-subsidized daycare
A non-subsidized daycare provides childcare services at a centre. In most cases, the centre is owned by a private individual who holds a non-subsidized daycare permit. Daycare centres are required to form a parent advisory committee to deal with all aspects of educational childcare for children in attendance, but they do not have a board of directors with parents as members in a decision-making capacity. A non-subsidized daycare does not offer subsidized spaces. Rather, the centre sets the per-day rate it charges to parents. Spaces at non-subsidized daycares qualify for the childcare tax credit.
Non-recognized childcare services
Some childcare services can be legally provided without requiring recognition by Ministère de la Famille. The agencies or individuals providing these services are not required to hold a permit issued by Minstère de la Famille or a certificate of recognition from a home childcare coordinating office.
Nursery school
Home childcare
Community organization
A person may offer or provide childcare for up to six children (including their own children under nine years of age) without having to be recognized by a coordinating office or licensed as a childcare centre or daycare.
A community organization may temporarily provide drop-in daycare either as part of its mission or as part of a specific program for parents or children.
A nursery school that was in operation on October 25, 2005, can provide childcare to the same groups of at least 7 children ages 2 to 5, for up to 4 hours per day.
Illegal childcare services
Childcare is illegal when a person offers or provides care for more than 6 children without holding a permit from Ministère de la Famille or without being recognized by a home childcare coordinating office. Childcare services are also considered illegal when a person uses the terms “daycare” or “CPE” in the name of their childcare service without holding a permit from Ministère de la Famille.
If you need more information or are unsure whether the childcare service your child attends is legal, contact the Ministère de la Famille information office at 1-877-216-6202.
Finding a childcare space
How much does it cost for a subsidized childcare space?
Parents pay a basic contribution and an additional contribution based on household income. Families with more than one child in subsidized childcare during the same year get a 50% reduction on the additional contribution for the second child and do not have to pay any additional contributions for the third or any subsequent children.As of January 1, 2019, the basic contribution is $8.25 per child per day (the rate may be subject to change). Families can use the Daily Childcare Cost calculator to estimate their total additional contribution per pay period. Parents can then set this amount aside each pay period and pay their additional contribution when they file their taxes.
Finding a childcare space
Is my child eligible for a childcare space?
Children of international students are eligible for subsidized spaces. If your child is over the age of 5 as of September 30 of the current year, you must register them in school through your school services centre. Contact your local school service centre to learn more.
Did you know?
School service centres now offer 4-year-old kindergarten. Learn more Kindergarten for 4-year-olds is optional. Children of that age can also attend childcare but once they turn 5 (before September 30), they must be enrolled in school through your school service centre.
Finding a childcare space
How do I find a subsidized space?
The first step is to register at La Place 0–5, the single gateway for subsidized childcare spaces. Priority is based on order of registration, so parents should register with La Place 0-5 as soon as possible, even if they subsequently move to a new address. Wait times for obtaining a childcare space are often long, but trying to find out your position on the list won’t necessarily help, as various other factors come into play.
Good to know!
To keep your request active, you must update your account with La Place 0–5 every 6 months.
Links you can use
Where and how to find childcare
À la recherche d’un service de garde éducatif pour votre enfant (a guide to finding educational childcare services)Childcare service directories by administrative region http://www.magarderie.com/ https://www.laplace0-5.com/ https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/services-de-garde/bc/Pages/index.aspx
More useful links:
The UL website The HEC website
Resources
To learn more, visit the Ministère de la famille page or contact INRS's GARE
More useful links:
The UL website The HEC website
The Ministère de la Famille list of support measures.
The Government of Québec calculator shows the estimated cost of a subsidized or non-subsidized space.
Good to know!
Non-subsidized spaces can sometimes cost about the same as subsidized spaces.
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Transcript
Childcare services in Québec
START
Menu
The mission of childcare services
Types of childcare services
Finding a childcare space
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The mission of childcare services
According to Ministère de la Famille, educational childcare providers have a threefold mission: 1) ensure the well-being, health, and safety of the children in their care; 2) provide an environment that fosters children’s development on all levels, from birth to school; and 3) prevent the appearance of learning, behavioural or social integration difficulties later in life.Recognized educational childcare providers must adhere to a program that is tailored to young children and that emphasizes learning through play. Recognized childcare services of all types are required to implement a program that fosters all aspects of children’s development and provides a foundation for their future development and growth. The educational program must also include prevention and promotion components that provide the child with an environment conducive to developing healthy eating and lifestyle habits as well as healthy behaviour.
Types of childcare services
There are several types of childcare available in Québec, each with its own particularities. Read on to learn more and decide which is best for your family.
Recognized childcare services
Non-recognized childcare services
Recognized childcare services
Home childcare recognized by a coordinating office
Childcare centres (CPE)
There are 4 types of childcare services recognized by the Government of Québec. All 4 carry this logo.
Subsidized daycare
Non-subsidized daycare
Childcare centres
A childcare centre (CPE) is a non-profit or co-operative organization that provides educational childcare services at one or more locations. CPE boards of directors have at least seven members, at least two-thirds of which must be parents who currently use the centre or will use it in the future.Childcare services at a childcare centre are usually subsidized, which means that the vast majority of the spaces are available are subsidized spaces.
Did you know?
There are fewer spaces available for infants age 0 to 18 months because the ratio of children per educator is lower.
Home childcare services recognized by a coordinating office
Home childcare services are provided by a person in a private residence. The vast majority of home childcare providers recognized by a coordinating office (CO) provide subsidized spaces. To check the quality of childcare at home childcare facilities recognized by a CO, inspectors will drop in unannounced. Home childcare providers can accommodate up to six children with one educator and up to nine children with two.
Did you know?
Contact your local coordinating office to find out which home childcare providers have spaces available! Spaces often become available in summer as children age four or five as of September 30 start school.
Subsidized daycare
A subsidized daycare provides childcare services at a centre. In most cases, the centre is owned by a private individual who holds a subsidized daycare permit. Daycare centres are required to form a parent advisory committee to deal with all aspects of educational childcare for children in attendance, but they do not have a board of directors where parents act in a decision-making capacity. A subsidized daycare provides subsidized childcare spaces.
Non-subsidized daycare
A non-subsidized daycare provides childcare services at a centre. In most cases, the centre is owned by a private individual who holds a non-subsidized daycare permit. Daycare centres are required to form a parent advisory committee to deal with all aspects of educational childcare for children in attendance, but they do not have a board of directors with parents as members in a decision-making capacity. A non-subsidized daycare does not offer subsidized spaces. Rather, the centre sets the per-day rate it charges to parents. Spaces at non-subsidized daycares qualify for the childcare tax credit.
Non-recognized childcare services
Some childcare services can be legally provided without requiring recognition by Ministère de la Famille. The agencies or individuals providing these services are not required to hold a permit issued by Minstère de la Famille or a certificate of recognition from a home childcare coordinating office.
Nursery school
Home childcare
Community organization
A person may offer or provide childcare for up to six children (including their own children under nine years of age) without having to be recognized by a coordinating office or licensed as a childcare centre or daycare.
A community organization may temporarily provide drop-in daycare either as part of its mission or as part of a specific program for parents or children.
A nursery school that was in operation on October 25, 2005, can provide childcare to the same groups of at least 7 children ages 2 to 5, for up to 4 hours per day.
Illegal childcare services
Childcare is illegal when a person offers or provides care for more than 6 children without holding a permit from Ministère de la Famille or without being recognized by a home childcare coordinating office. Childcare services are also considered illegal when a person uses the terms “daycare” or “CPE” in the name of their childcare service without holding a permit from Ministère de la Famille.
If you need more information or are unsure whether the childcare service your child attends is legal, contact the Ministère de la Famille information office at 1-877-216-6202.
Finding a childcare space
How much does it cost for a subsidized childcare space?
Parents pay a basic contribution and an additional contribution based on household income. Families with more than one child in subsidized childcare during the same year get a 50% reduction on the additional contribution for the second child and do not have to pay any additional contributions for the third or any subsequent children.As of January 1, 2019, the basic contribution is $8.25 per child per day (the rate may be subject to change). Families can use the Daily Childcare Cost calculator to estimate their total additional contribution per pay period. Parents can then set this amount aside each pay period and pay their additional contribution when they file their taxes.
Finding a childcare space
Is my child eligible for a childcare space?
Children of international students are eligible for subsidized spaces. If your child is over the age of 5 as of September 30 of the current year, you must register them in school through your school services centre. Contact your local school service centre to learn more.
Did you know?
School service centres now offer 4-year-old kindergarten. Learn more Kindergarten for 4-year-olds is optional. Children of that age can also attend childcare but once they turn 5 (before September 30), they must be enrolled in school through your school service centre.
Finding a childcare space
How do I find a subsidized space?
The first step is to register at La Place 0–5, the single gateway for subsidized childcare spaces. Priority is based on order of registration, so parents should register with La Place 0-5 as soon as possible, even if they subsequently move to a new address. Wait times for obtaining a childcare space are often long, but trying to find out your position on the list won’t necessarily help, as various other factors come into play.
Good to know!
To keep your request active, you must update your account with La Place 0–5 every 6 months.
Links you can use
Where and how to find childcare
À la recherche d’un service de garde éducatif pour votre enfant (a guide to finding educational childcare services)Childcare service directories by administrative region http://www.magarderie.com/ https://www.laplace0-5.com/ https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/services-de-garde/bc/Pages/index.aspx
More useful links:
The UL website The HEC website
Resources
To learn more, visit the Ministère de la famille page or contact INRS's GARE
More useful links:
The UL website The HEC website
The Ministère de la Famille list of support measures.
The Government of Québec calculator shows the estimated cost of a subsidized or non-subsidized space.
Good to know!
Non-subsidized spaces can sometimes cost about the same as subsidized spaces.