Quick answer
Whether you are a parent searching for a spot or an entrepreneur thinking about opening a daycare, the first thing to understand is that British Columbia does not have just one kind of child care. The province recognizes four broad categories: licensed care, registered licence-not-required care, licence-not-required care, and care in the child’s own home. Within licensed care alone there are around ten distinct program types, each with its own age range, group size, staffing ratio and setting.
This guide explains each type in plain language, shows how they compare, and outlines what it takes to open one. If you are planning to launch a facility, we also point you to the funding programs and planning steps that matter most. At StartCan Business Consulting, we help founders turn regulated, care-sector ideas into fundable, well-structured businesses, so we have included the business angle throughout.
Who Regulates Child Care in BC?
Licensed child care in BC is governed by the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and the Child Care Licensing Regulation. Licensing and inspections are carried out by your regional health authority, and the Ministry of Education and Child Care leads provincial child care policy and funding.
Licensed facilities are monitored and regularly inspected for health and safety, staff qualifications, record keeping, space and equipment, child-to-staff ratios and programming. Parents can look up inspection reports for licensed facilities online.
Your local licensing office depends on where you live:
- Vancouver Coastal Health (Vancouver, North Shore, Richmond, Sunshine Coast and more)
- Fraser Health (Surrey, Burnaby, Fraser Valley and surrounding communities)
- Island Health
- Interior Health
- Northern Health
Licensed Child Care Types in BC
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Licensed care is the most regulated option. Staff in most licensed programs must be certified through the provincial ECE Registry, and the facility is inspected by the health authority. Here are the main program types.
1. Group Child Care (Under 36 Months)
Often called infant-toddler care, this program serves children from birth to 36 months in a community-based centre.
- Maximum group size: 12 children
- Staffing: 1 to 4 children need one Infant Toddler Educator; 5 to 8 add an Early Childhood Educator (ECE); 9 to 12 add an ECE Assistant
- Best for: families who want full-day, centre-based care for babies and toddlers
2. Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age)
This is the classic daycare for children aged two and a half up to Kindergarten.
- Maximum group size: 25 children
- Staffing: 1 to 8 children need one ECE; 9 to 16 add an ECE Assistant; 17 to 25 add a second assistant
- Best for: families who want structured, full-day preschool-age care
3. Preschool (30 Months to School Age)
Preschools typically follow the school year (September to June), and most run from one to four hours a day.
- Maximum group size: 20 children
- Staffing: one ECE for up to 10 children; add an ECE Assistant for 11 to 20
- Best for: families who want part-time, play-based early learning before Kindergarten
4. Group Child Care (School Age)
Before- and after-school care for children in Kindergarten and up, often offered during school closures too.
- Maximum group size: 24 children if Kindergarten or Grade 1 children are present, or 30 for Grade 2 and older
- Staffing: one responsible adult per 12 children (Kindergarten and Grade 1) or per 15 children (Grade 2 and older)
- Best for: working parents with school-aged children
5. School Age Care on School Grounds
The same age range and ratios as school-age group care, but delivered on school property. This is convenient for families because children do not need to travel between school and care.
6. Multi-Age Child Care
Multi-age programs care for children from birth to 12 in one mixed-age group, in a community-based setting.
- Maximum group size: 8 children
- Staffing: one ECE for 8 children
- Best for: siblings who want to stay together, or families who value a smaller, home-like group
The province explains how funding applies in its multi-age care FAQ.
7. In-Home Multi-Age Child Care
Similar to multi-age care, but the licensee, who must be an ECE, personally provides care in their own home.
- Maximum group size: 8 children, birth to 12 years
- Staffing: one ECE (who is also the licensee) for 8 children
- Best for: families who want small-group, home-based care delivered by a certified educator
8. Family Child Care
Family child care is licensed home-based care delivered by the licensee in their personal residence.
- Maximum group size: 7 children, birth to 12 years
- Staffing: one responsible adult (the licensee) for 7 children
- Provider requirements: at least 19 years old, 20 hours of child care-related training, relevant experience, a valid first aid certificate and a clear criminal record check
9. Occasional Child Care
Occasional care is drop-in care for children 18 months and older, limited to a maximum of 8 hours a day and 40 hours per calendar month per child. Think gyms, shopping centres and community programs.
- Maximum group size: 16 children if any are under 36 months, or 20 if none are
- Ratio: 1 responsible adult per 4 children (if any are under 36 months) or per 8 children (if none are)
10. Recreational Care
Recreational care serves school-age children in activity-based programs such as sports, arts or camps, in indoor facilities other than a single-family home or in outdoor settings such as public parks. There is no fixed maximum group size as long as the space is safe for the activity, and the school-age ratios (1:12 and 1:15) apply.
Registered Licence-Not-Required (RLNR) Child Care
RLNR providers are unlicensed but register with a local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) centre. Registered providers gain access to support, training, resources and group liability insurance. Care is proUnlicensed Child Care Types in BC
vided in the provider’s home for a maximum of two children (or a sibling group) who are not related to the provider.
Licence-Not-Required (LNR) Child Care
Unregistered LNR care is legal in BC, but it is not monitored or inspected, and providers do not have to meet health or safety standards. Legally, a provider can care for up to two children, or a sibling group, who are not related to them. Providers caring for more than two unrelated children without a licence may be operating illegally. Parents and guardians are responsible for overseeing the care and safety of their children in these arrangements.
Care in the Child’s Own Home (Nanny or Babysitter)
When parents arrange care in their own home, they become employers. That means making regular Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan payments and registering the employment with the Canada Revenue Agency and WorkSafeBC. Children from other families cannot be included, and no formal qualifications are required, so screening and hiring is the parent’s responsibility.
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Quick Comparison: Child Care Types in BC
|
Type |
Ages |
Max group |
Setting |
Regulated? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Group care (under 36 months) |
Birth to 36 months |
12 |
Centre |
Licensed |
|
Group care (30 months to school age) |
30 months to Kindergarten |
25 |
Centre |
Licensed |
|
Preschool |
30 months to Kindergarten |
20 |
Centre |
Licensed |
|
School-age care |
Kindergarten and up |
24 or 30 |
Centre or school |
Licensed |
|
Multi-age |
Birth to 12 |
8 |
Centre |
Licensed |
|
In-home multi-age |
Birth to 12 |
8 |
Provider’s home |
Licensed |
|
Family child care |
Birth to 12 |
7 |
Provider’s home |
Licensed |
|
Occasional care |
18 months and up |
16 or 20 |
Centre |
Licensed |
|
Recreational care |
School age |
No fixed max |
Indoor or outdoor |
Licensed |
|
RLNR |
Birth to 12 |
2 (or sibling group) |
Provider’s home |
Registered, not inspected |
|
LNR |
Any age |
2 (or sibling group) |
Provider’s home |
Not regulated |
|
Nanny or babysitter |
Any age |
One family |
Child’s home |
Employment rules only |
How to Choose the Right Type of Child Care (For Parents)
Start with your child’s age. Infants and toddlers need the lowest ratios, which is why under-36-month programs require an Infant Toddler Educator.
Match the schedule to your work. Preschools run a few hours a day, group care runs full days, and school-age programs fill the gaps around school.
Decide how much oversight matters. Licensed care means health-authority inspections and certified staff. Unlicensed care puts more responsibility on you to vet the provider.
Check the inspection history. Search the public inspection reports before you tour.
Use your local CCRR. Child Care Resource and Referral centres can help you find child care and apply for funding.
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How to Choose the Right Type of Child Care Business (For Operators)
If you are thinking about opening your own facility, the program type you choose shapes almost everything else: your capacity, staffing costs, premises, funding eligibility and revenue ceiling.
Home-based models (family child care, in-home multi-age). Lower overhead and no commercial lease, but capped at 7 or 8 children and dependent on your own residence and your own qualifications. In-home multi-age requires you to be an ECE.
Centre-based models (group care, preschool, multi-age). Higher capacity and revenue potential, but they bring commercial rent, tenant improvements, larger payroll and tougher recruitment. Because certified ECE staff are required for most group programs, your staffing plan is as important as your premises.
Part-time and niche models (preschool, occasional care, recreational care). These can suit founders who want lower staffing complexity or a specialty focus, but revenue per space is typically lower, so a realistic financial model matters.
Key Steps to Open a Licensed Facility in BC
Define your program type, ages and target capacity. Use the list above to choose the licence category that fits your concept.
Confirm your site. Check municipal zoning, building and signage requirements early. The Union of BC Municipalities has a helpful planning guide on child care facility types and local government regulation.
Build your team. Confirm that you can staff to the required ratios with certified ECEs, Infant Toddler Educators and assistants.
Contact your health authority’s Community Care Facilities Licensing office. Request the application guide, such as the Vancouver Coastal Health licensing application guide, and understand the group-size and staffing rules for your program.
Prepare a business plan and financial model. Lenders, landlords and funders will want to see realistic enrolment, wage and fee assumptions. Small Business BC also offers business plan coaching.
Apply for licensing and funding. Plan your timeline around the licensing process and funding intakes.
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Funding and Affordability Programs for Licensed Providers
BC’s ChildCareBC programs can materially affect both family affordability and provider viability. Key programs include:
- Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF): monthly funding that helps eligible licensed providers with day-to-day costs.
- Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI): providers opt in through their operating funding application to reduce and stabilize monthly fees for families.
- Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement (ECE-WE): funding that supports ECE wages.
- $10 a Day ChildCareBC: a program that reduces fees dramatically for families in participating centres.
- ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund: capital funding to help create new licensed child care spaces.
The province’s 2026-27 renewal bulletin notes there were no major changes to base operating funding or the wage enhancement program this year, and that providers joining the fee reduction program must start with fees that reflect typical regional rates. Rules and intakes change, so always confirm current eligibility with the Ministry before you commit to financial projections.
For further information about funding and grants for child care facilities in BC, please read our other article ‘Grants and fundings for day care in BC’.Â
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Frequently Asked Questions
BC recognizes four broad categories: licensed, registered licence-not-required, licence-not-required, and care in the child’s own home. Licensed care is further divided into program types including group child care, preschool, family child care, multi-age, in-home multi-age, occasional and recreational care.
Licensed facilities are inspected by the health authority and must meet requirements for staffing qualifications, ratios, safety, space and programming. Unlicensed (licence-not-required) providers can legally care for up to two unrelated children, or a sibling group, but are not inspected and do not have to meet health or safety standards.
A licence is generally required when you provide care to three or more children who are not related to you. Providers with more than two unrelated children and no licence may be operating illegally.
Both are licensed and run from the provider’s own home. Family child care allows up to 7 children and requires 20 hours of child care training, first aid and a criminal record check. In-home multi-age allows up to 8 children but requires the licensee to be a certified Early Childhood Educator.
It depends on the program. Examples: group care for children under 36 months uses a tiered team of Infant Toddler Educators, ECEs and assistants for up to 12 children; group care for 30 months to school age allows up to 25 children with one ECE per 8 children plus assistants; and school-age care uses one responsible adult per 12 or 15 children depending on grade.
It depends on the type. Family child care licensees must meet the responsible-adult requirements rather than hold an ECE certificate, while in-home multi-age and most group programs require ECE-certified staff or licensees. Confirm requirements for your specific program with your health authority.
Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral centre, and check your health authority’s list of licensed facilities and inspection reports.
Occasional care is drop-in care for children 18 months and older, limited to 8 hours a day and 40 hours per calendar month. It is commonly offered by gyms, community centres and similar venues.
An RLNR provider is an unlicensed home-based provider who has registered with a local CCRR centre. Registered providers can access support, training, resources and group liability insurance. They are still limited to two unrelated children, or a sibling group.
Group programs for young children require ECE-certified staff: Infant Toddler Educator (about 1,300 hours of training), Early Childhood Educator (about 900 hours) and ECE Assistant (one early childhood education course). Family child care, occasional care and school-age programs require responsible adults who are at least 19, with 20 hours of child care-related training, relevant experience, first aid and a clear criminal record check.
Ready to Build a Funding-Ready Plan?
Planning a Child Care Business in BC? Start With a Plan That Funders Trust
Choosing the right licence category is only the first decision. Capacity, staffing, premises, funding eligibility and cash flow all have to line up before you open. At StartCan Business Consulting, we work with care-sector and healthcare-adjacent founders across BC and Canada to turn regulated business ideas into clear, lender-ready plans. Explore how we can help:
- Business plan writing services tailored to child care, preschool and after-school concepts
- Financial modelling and forecasting for staffing, enrolment and funding scenarios
- Feasibility studies and market research to validate your location and demand
- Grant writing and funding support for capital and operating programs
- Marketing strategy to fill your spaces and build a waitlist
- Buying or selling a business if you are acquiring an existing facility
Ready to talk it through? Book a free consultation with our North Vancouver team.