Quebec Home Childcare Recognition Application: Documents to Prepare

Quick answer

A Quebec home childcare recognition application covers identity, work authorization, health, experience, household members, planned services, first aid, training, insurance, evacuation and background checks. The coordinating office currently issues its decision within 120 days after receiving all required documents.

Note

Each coordinating office may supply its own forms. Always use the forms for your territory. This article adapts the main official requirements and is not legal advice.

Before filling forms: create a master file

Create four folders: identity, health and residents; training and experience; service, hours and educational program; safety, insurance and evacuation.

Use a tracker with the document, date, person, status and delivery proof. Name files clearly, such as first-aid-2026-05-12.pdf.

1. Identity and work authorization

Prepare evidence of identity and birth date, plus authorization to work in Canada when required. Confirm that the name, address and contact information match across documents.

The applicant must be a physical person at least 18 and able to remain present during childcare hours except during permitted replacement.

2. Service address

Provide the exact address where care will be offered. The property must be a private residence with sufficient safe space. For an apartment, verify the lease, speak with the landlord and confirm municipal rules.

3. Minor children and other residents

For each child under 18 living in the home, prepare a birth certificate or equivalent and usual presence hours.

Adults living in the home are covered by background-check requirements. The office also interviews residents over age 14. Explain the project, the rooms used and expectations during childcare hours.

4. Physical and mental health

A signed declaration of physical and mental health is part of the file. Use the coordinating office’s form rather than sending a complete medical record unless specifically requested.

The declaration concerns the ability to provide supervision, routines and emergency response safely.

5. Experience, diplomas and training

Gather a résumé, diplomas, transcripts, certificates and experience evidence. Highlight care, education, organization, family communication, emergency response and self-employment skills.

Initial education may be met through an early-childhood education diploma, a recognized equivalent or at least 45 hours of training. Evidence should clearly show content, duration, name and date.

6. First-aid certificate

The certificate covers an early-childhood course of at least eight hours including severe allergy management, or an applicable refresher of at least six hours. Confirm validity and schedule renewal reminders.

Assistants and occasional substitutes must also meet the first-aid requirements that apply to them.

7. Description of planned services

State:

• total number of children;
• number under 18 months;
• assistant plan;
• opening days and hours;
• meal and snack times;
• planned closures;
• occasional and emergency replacement;
• overnight care, if offered.

Without an assistant, the general maximum is six children including two infants. With a qualified assistant, it can reach nine including four infants.

8. Assistant information

Provide the assistant’s name, home address and telephone number. Prepare identity evidence, first aid, background-check attestation and proof of the required 12 hours of child-development training completed within the applicable period.

Explain the assistant’s schedule, responsibilities and role in the educational program.

9. Liability insurance

The current official minimum is $1,000,000 per incident. Coverage includes the provider’s childcare activities and the people who assist or replace them.

Ask for a certificate showing the service address, type of activity, coverage period and covered people. Standard home insurance is not automatically enough.

10. Evacuation procedure

The procedure should fit the residence and explain:

• how the alarm is raised;
• primary and alternative exits;
• how infants or children needing help are evacuated;
• the meeting point;
• who takes attendance, contacts and emergency medication;
• emergency calls and parent notification.

After opening, complete a drill when a new child begins or at least every six months.

11. Background-check attestations

The process applies to the applicant, assistant and adult household members. Use the office’s consent and verification process; a check completed for another job may not transfer.

Report changes in household or staff composition during processing and after recognition.

12. Firearm information, when applicable

If a firearm is present, provide the requested registration certificate or registration number. The firearm is later stored out of sight and reach. Parents receive written notice and the office receives a signed copy.

13. Educational program

Current official information allows the compliant educational program to be submitted within 24 months after recognition in covered cases. Begin defining values, parent partnership, play, observation and support for physical and motor, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.

A realistic description is more useful than a generic program that does not match daily practice.

14. Prepare for the full home visit

The office visits every room, the yard and outbuildings. Identify spaces for play, meals, rest, hygiene and storage. Not every item must already be purchased, but the setup plan should be clear.

Show access control, exits, locked toxic-product storage, medication storage, supervision and outdoor arrangements.

15. Prepare for interviews

The interview checks information and judgment. Prepare scenarios involving illness, allergy, conflict, separation anxiety, a late parent, unavailable substitute, water outage or evacuation.

Residents over age 14 are also interviewed and should understand the project.

16. Decision, refusal and review

The timeline begins when the application is complete. Approval is confirmed in writing and lasts five years.

If the office intends to refuse, the applicant can submit observations. A maintained refusal is provided in writing and can be challenged before the Tribunal administratif du Québec.

Final application checklist

• Every field is completed or marked not applicable.
• Names and addresses match.
• Certificates are readable and valid.
• Signatures and dates are present.
• All residents are declared.
• Capacity matches the assistant plan.
• Hours include meals, snacks and closures.
• Insurance clearly covers childcare.
• Evacuation fits the home.
• Background-check steps are complete.
• A full copy and delivery proof are retained.

GE Agenda can later help organize attendance, communication, observations and educational records. It does not replace the official coordinating-office file.

Official sources

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

Frequently asked questions about the application file

When does the 120-day period begin?

It begins when the coordinating office has received every necessary document and piece of information. Keep delivery evidence and ask the office to confirm when the file is considered complete.

Are forms identical for every coordinating office?

Regulatory requirements are shared, but form layout and administrative instructions can vary. Always use the package supplied by the office serving the home address.

Who needs a background-check attestation?

The process covers the applicant, assistant and adult household members. A check completed for another job does not automatically transfer. The coordinating office supplies the appropriate procedure and consent forms.

Must all furniture be purchased before the home visit?

No. The applicant must still identify planned spaces and explain supervision, meals, rest, hygiene, storage, access and evacuation. Essential equipment must be ready before children actually begin care.

What if a document expires during processing?

Notify the office and send renewed evidence promptly. Track expiry dates for first aid, insurance and attestations. A file that was complete when submitted must remain accurate during review.

What happens if the application is refused?

The office communicates the reasons and generally allows the applicant to submit observations before a final decision. A maintained refusal is provided in writing and may be challenged before the Tribunal administratif du Québec according to the stated review process.