How to Become a Child Care Operator

High quality child care is extremely important in the lives of children and families. It helps children to develop skills they will need for the rest of their lives; it supports families in their child-rearing role by providing a warm and nurturing environment for their children as well as knowledgeable and empathetic adults who are their willing partners in this enterprise; and it plays an important role in the community’s ability to support the business of living their lives. (Partners in Quality Communities CCCF, 1999). Quality child care should support a child’s emotional, social, intellectual and physical well being. (CCCF Resource sheet #34)

The first step in becoming a child care provider is determining what type of care you would like to provide.

License-Not-Required (LNR) Child Care

A child care provider can look after a maximum of two children in addition to those related to them by blood or marriage without a community care facilities license. This is referred to as License-Not-Required care or LNR.

Registered-License-Not-Required (RLNR) Child Care

You can operate as a RLNR in 150 Mile House, Alexis Creek, Alkali Lake, Anaham Reserve, Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Big Lake, Canoe Lake, Dog Creek, Hagensborg, Horsefly, Klemtu, Likely, McLeese Lake, Miocene, Nemaiah, Redstone, Soda Creek, Tatla Lake, or Williams Lake by registering with the Williams Lake CCRR.  Email ccrr@womenscontact.org for information on requirements needed to become a RLNR.

Licensed Child Care

In BC anyone providing care for 3 or more children not related to the operator by blood or marriage requires a community care facilities license. Licensed care can take place in an operator’s home (licensed family child care) as well as in a community or commercial setting (licensed group child care). To find out more information regarding licensed child care please contact your local Child Care licensing office.

For more information click on Guide to Applying for Licence