Community care facility licensing protects and promotes the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable children and adults in licensed care facilities. We do this through education, collaboration and regulation.

Licensing officers do the following:

  • Issue licences to community care facilities.
  • Monitor and inspect facilities on a routine basis.
  • Respond to complaints.
  • Investigate allegations of unsafe, inappropriate or abusive care (i.e. physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse).
  • Investigate unlicensed facility complaints.
  • Work with other agencies as required (e.g. police, Ministry of Child and Family Development).
  • Ensure that licensees follow up with corrective action.

What to expect

All facilities must be in compliance with the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, the Residential Care Regulations and the Child Care Licensing Regulations.

A community care facilities licence is required for all programs and facilities providing care to three or more persons who are not related to the operator by blood or marriage.

Licensing officers must be of the opinion that the designated manager has the training, experience, personality, ability and temperament necessary to operate the community care facility in a manner that will maintain the spirit, dignity and individuality of the persons in care.

An assessment of suitability includes a review of the applicant's qualifications and references, an interview, and for child care facilities a criminal record check.

Resources

    • Application for licence - Child care

      This form to be used for new applications only.

    • Application for licence - Residential care

      This form to be used for new applications only.

    • Application for licence amendment - Child care

      This form is to be used for requests to change information that was submitted in the original application.

    • Application for licence amendment - Residential care

      This form is to be used for requests to change information that was submitted in the original application.

    • Licensing Application Guide - FCC or IHMA

    • Licensing Application Guide - GCC, school age

    • Licensing Application Guide - GCC

    • Licensing Application Guide - Recreational Care

    • Licensing Application Guide - School Age Care on School Grounds (Board of Education)

    • Licensing Application Guide - School Age Care on School Grounds

    • Licensing Application Guide - FCC or IHMA - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - GCC - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - GCC, school age - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - Recreational Care - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - School Age Care on School Grounds - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - School Age Care on School Grounds (Board of Education) - Coastal Areas

    • Licensing Application Guide - Residential Care

Contact us

If you have questions or issues related to environmental health, inspections or facility licensing, you can reach us using the health protection feedback form or through your local health protection office.

Health protection feedback Health protection offices