How to Become a Recognized Home Childcare Provider in Quebec

Quick answer

To become a recognized home childcare provider (RSGE) in Quebec, contact the coordinating office for your area, confirm basic conditions, prepare training and documents, complete a full home visit and participate in interviews. The office issues its decision within 120 days after receiving the complete file. Recognition is valid for five years.

Beginning September 1, 2026, recognition becomes mandatory for childcare offered in a private residence, except when a person cares for only two children or only children who normally live together.

Note

This guide adapts the main official points without copying them. It is informational, not legal advice. Quebec laws, regulations, official pages and coordinating-office instructions take precedence. Sources checked August 11, 2026.

1. Understand the role and benefits

Home childcare offers a small, stable, mixed-age environment in a private residence. The provider works independently while applying an educational program and collaborating with families and the coordinating office.

Recognition can provide professional support, training, access to subsidized spaces, certain social measures and the option to work with an assistant. Quebec also publishes a start-up financial measure whose amount and conditions can change; confirm it with the office before including it in a budget.

2. Confirm personal conditions

Applicants generally must:

• be at least 18;
• be authorized to work in Canada;
• remain present during childcare hours except during permitted replacement;
• support children’s play and exploration;
• communicate respectfully and build meaningful relationships;
• collaborate with parents and the office;
• be physically and mentally able to provide care;
• have no disqualifying background issue.

The private residence must offer sufficient safe space. An inhabited apartment can be used, subject to lease and municipal rules. Speak with the landlord and municipality before major purchases or renovations.

3. Define capacity and operations

Without an assistant, the general maximum is six children, including no more than two under 18 months. With a qualified adult assistant, capacity can reach nine, including no more than four infants.

Define opening days and hours, meals, snacks, planned closures, replacement and overnight care when applicable. Food provided while children are present should align with Canada’s Food Guide.

A private yard is not mandatory, but plan at least 60 minutes of outdoor activity each day in a safe place unless conditions compromise health, safety or well-being. Animals are permitted when hygiene, allergy and behaviour risks are managed.

4. Complete first aid and training

Before opening, the provider needs early-childhood first aid: a basic course of at least eight hours including severe allergy management, or an applicable refresher of at least six hours.

Initial education may be met through an early-childhood education diploma, a recognized equivalent or at least 45 hours covering the provider’s role, child development, health, safety, nutrition and the educational program. Current official information gives some new providers 12 months after recognition to complete it.

After recognition, six hours of annual professional development are required, including at least three hours on child development and the educational program.

5. Prepare the educational program and child records

The educational program explains values and how the service supports parent partnership, play, each child’s uniqueness and global development. Current official information provides up to 24 months after recognition for submission in covered situations.

The provider also keeps an educational file for each child. Periodic portraits give a qualitative view of strengths, interests, progress and challenges in physical and motor, cognitive, language, social and emotional development. They are not report cards.

6. Find the coordinating office

Locate the office serving the home address. Prepare the address, housing type, desired capacity, number of infants, assistant plan, hours, expected opening date and existing qualifications.

The office explains conditions, supplies forms and can support setup, the educational program, materials and training.

7. Build the complete application

The file generally covers:

• identity and work authorization;
• identity and presence hours of minor children living in the home;
• education and experience;
• signed physical and mental health declaration;
• address, capacity, hours, meals and closures;
• first aid and initial training;
• liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per incident;
• evacuation procedure;
• assistant information;
• background-check attestations for the applicant and adult residents;
• firearm information when applicable.

The 120-day timeline begins only when every required document is received. Check signatures, dates, names, addresses and expiry dates before sending.

8. Complete the full home visit

The coordinating office visits every room, the yard and outbuildings. Identify spaces used for play, meals, rest, hygiene and storage. Not all furniture must be purchased, but the plan must be credible.

Explain access control, supervision, evacuation, outdoor activity, and locked storage for toxic products. Show where child medication and confidential records will be kept.

9. Prepare for interviews

The interview checks application details and practical judgment. Prepare examples involving separation anxiety, allergy, injury, conflict, mixed-age play, a difficult parent conversation, evacuation or a cancelled outing.

Residents over age 14 are also interviewed. Explain the project, private areas and expectations during childcare hours.

10. Decision and review options

Approval is confirmed in writing and recognition lasts five years. If the office intends to refuse, the applicant can submit observations. A maintained refusal is communicated in writing and can be challenged before the Tribunal administratif du Québec.

11. Finalize opening

Before children arrive, complete insurance, written service agreements, registration and attendance forms, emergency contacts, sleep and meal equipment, first aid, secure storage and evacuation supplies.

The service agreement specifies services, hours, fees and special conditions. Official models can help, but the agreement should match real operations.

12. Maintain and renew recognition

The office completes three annual unannounced visits. Providers maintain ratios, safety, sanitation, training, records and the educational program.

Within 150 days before expiry, the office asks whether the provider intends to renew. Outdated, incomplete or changed information must be updated. A scheduled visit and interview precede renewal.

Serious failures involving ratios, hygiene, safety, background checks, educational duties, false information or risk to children can lead to notice, suspension, non-renewal or revocation. Providers can also request voluntary suspension, generally for up to 24 months.

Start-up checklist

1. Find the coordinating office.
2. Confirm lease and municipal feasibility.
3. Define capacity, schedule, meals and closures.
4. Plan first aid and training.
5. Gather household information.
6. Begin background-check steps.
7. Prepare insurance and evacuation.
8. Map each room’s function.
9. Prepare interview examples.
10. Keep a complete application copy.

GE Agenda can later centralize attendance, parent communication, observations and educational records. It supports organization without replacing official duties.

Official sources

• Become a home childcare provider — Gouvernement du Québec (French)
• Obtain and maintain recognition — Gouvernement du Québec (French)
• Official recognition guide — French PDF

Frequently asked questions about becoming a provider

How long does recognition take?

The office currently issues its decision within 120 days after receiving the complete file. The period does not begin at the first call; missing evidence, a pending background check or a requested correction can delay the date on which the file becomes complete.

Can someone become a provider in an apartment?

Yes. An inhabited apartment can be a private residence when it offers enough safe space. The applicant should check the lease, obtain required permission and confirm municipal rules. The office evaluates the actual home, not only a proposed plan.

Must the 45 hours of training be completed before recognition?

Some applicants meet the requirement through a diploma or recognized equivalent. In certain cases, the 45 hours can be completed within 12 months after recognition. Confirm the applicable path with the coordinating office.

Is a private yard mandatory?

No. The service must still provide daily outdoor activity in a safe place when conditions allow. Prepare a realistic route, required permissions and a supervision approach for the full group.

What does the office assess during the interview?

The interview checks the project’s consistency, understanding of the role and judgment in realistic situations. Topics may include safety, development, meals, parent collaboration, discipline, emergencies, replacement and use of the home.

What must remain current after recognition?

Providers maintain background attestations, first aid, training, insurance, records, the educational program and personal information. They also follow ratios, safety and sanitation rules, annual visits and five-year renewal requirements.