Stratford Licensed Home Child Care

Becoming a Licensed Home Child Care Provider in Stratford, St. Marys, or Perth County

Stratford Home Child Care is looking for caring, dedicated individuals who are interested in providing licensed child care from their own homes.

As a self-employed, independently contracted home child care provider, you operate your own home-based child care program while receiving support from the City of Stratford Home Child Care Agency. Providers create safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments where children can learn through play, daily routines, and meaningful experiences.

Families enrolled with participating Stratford Home Child Care providers will be eligible for reduced fees through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

Provider Benefits

• Work from your home and set your own days and hours of care.
• Operate a small, licensed home child care program.
• Receive ongoing support from a City Home Child Care Visitor through regular visits, coaching and consultation.
• Access resources, policies, forms and guidance to support licensing, health and safety, programming and administration.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance your child care knowledge and skills.
• Access support from a Resource Consultant and community agencies for children with disabilities or special needs.
• Be connected with families looking for licensed home child care.
• Be eligible to apply for available provincial enhancement funding.
• Offer families access to fee subsidy, where eligible.
• Participate in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, which helps make licensed child care more affordable for eligible families.

Getting Started

Becoming a contracted home child care provider can be completed in a few simple steps:

1. Contact Stratford Home Child Care to express your interest by email: homechildcare@stratford.ca or by telephone: (519) 271-3771 ext. 6258
2. Arrange an initial home visit with a City Home Child Care Visitor.
3. Discuss your preferred hours of care and the ages of children you wish to care for.
4. Submit required documents, such as current first aid and CPR certification, home insurance, and a vulnerable sector check.
5. Prepare your home with appropriate equipment, materials, and safety measures.
6. Complete the approval process and any required orientation or training.
7. Open your licensed home child care program and begin welcoming families.

Approval timelines vary depending on documentation, home readiness, and completion of all requirements.

Stratford Home Child Care helps families connect with licensed home child care providers in Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County. Our providers offer care in approved private homes where children can learn, play, and grow in a smaller, home-like setting.

Licensed home child care may be a good option for families looking for flexible care, mixed-age learning opportunities, and consistent relationships with a provider.

What Families Can Expect

When your child is enrolled with a Stratford Home Child Care provider, you can expect:

• Care in an approved home that is monitored by the City of Stratford Home Child Care Agency.
• A safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for your child.
• Play-based learning opportunities that support children’s development, interests, and daily routines.
• A small group setting where children may build relationships with children of the same or different ages.
• Two hours of daily outdoor play, weather permitting, as well as indoor activities such as stories, music, creative play, and sensory experiences.
• Meals and snacks, rest or quiet time, and routines that reflect your child’s individual needs.
• Ongoing communication with your provider about your child’s day including meals, sleep, activities, toileting, illness, and any other concerns.
• Support from a City Home Child Care Visitor, who completes monthly visits to monitor licensing, health and safety, and program quality requirements.

Finding Care

To begin looking for licensed home child care, please add your child to the OneHSN waitlist.

City of Stratford | Child Care Waitlist

When an appropriate space may be available, families may be connected with a provider to discuss their program, schedule, fees, routines, and whether the arrangement is a good fit for everyone.

Placement is based on provider availability and the needs of both the family and provider. Stratford Home Child Care cannot guarantee immediate placement or availability in a specific neighbourhood.

Fees and Fee Subsidy

Families with children from birth to age 6 are eligible for reduced child care fees through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

Fee subsidy may also be available for eligible families. Families interested in fee subsidy can contact the City of Stratford Children’s Services to learn about eligibility and the application process.

Questions or Concerns

Families are encouraged to speak openly with their provider about their child’s care and daily experiences. If you have questions, concerns, or require support, you may also contact the Stratford Home Child Care office.

Contact Stratford Home Child Care

Email: homechildcare@stratford.ca
Telephone: (519) 271-3773 ext. 6258