Child Care Centre Fast Facts

This fact sheet outlines the regulations and permits you may need to operate a Child Care Centre in Nova Scotia. Listed are sources of industry information that will help you understand some of the issues to consider before starting your business. You are also invited to review some of our other business information guides; they include the Business Start-Up Info-Guide , Taxation Info-Guide, and Financing Info-Guide.

Additional information can be obtained by calling one of our Business Information Officers or visiting our library.

Summary

PERMITS

The following is a list of the permits you may need in order to operate a Child Care Centre in Nova Scotia. Please keep in mind that there might be additional permits that you require which are not listed, or some of these permits may not be applicable to your business.

Business Registration

Most businesses are required to register in Nova Scotia. When you register your business, you will also receive a business number, which is required for taxation purposes. Often suppliers will also request a business number before offering you credit.

For further information, call (902) 424-7770 or toll free 1-800-670-4357 see the document Registry of Joint Stock Companies or visit the web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rjsc/forms.stm

Day Care Act

Under the Day Care Act , the Director of the Early Childhood Development Services section approves new early childhood education training programs across the province.

For further information, call Early Childhood Development Services at (902) 424-5499 or visit the web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/legi/legc/statutes/daycare.htm

Day Care Regulations

The regulations detail the responsibilities a child care centre operator has under the law.

For further information, call Early Childhood Development Services at (902) 424-5499 or visit the web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/regs/dayregs.htm/

Food Establishment Permit

A full-day program that offers snacks and meals must meet the legal requirements applicable to any eating establishment. It is recommended that staff responsible for food preparation take an accredited Food Handlers course. Menus must be planned in advance, satisfy the nutritional requirements set forth in Canada's Food Guide and be approved by qualified nutritionists.

For further information, call: (902) 424-1173 Halifax Regional Municipality area (902) 893-7473 all other areas of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Permit Directory: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/AGRIC/paal006.stm

Office of the Fire Marshal

Day Care Regulations requires that all Child Care operations must meet accepted fire safety standards.

For further information, call: 1-800-559-3473 see the document Office of the Fire Marshal or visit the web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ofm

Worker's Compensation Board

Most firms, which employ three or more workers, need to register for coverage. Any employer who fails to register but is required to do so under the Act may be liable for the full cost of any workplace accident, plus additional penalties.

For further information, call Employer Services: 1-877-211-9267 see the document Workers' Compensation Board or visit the web site: http://www.wcb.ns.ca

C/NSBSC REFERENCE LIBRARY

The Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre (C/NSBSC) Reference Library is a great resource for potential and established entrepreneurs. Resources are available for the public's use within the library during regular hours of operation. The following lists some of the Child Care resources available for use in the C/NSBSC Reference Library:

Starting a Day Care Centre in Nova Scotia - July 1998

Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care : Your step-by-step business plan 2nd Edition - February 1999

Using Your Home For Day Care - Canada Revenue Agency - January 1995

There are many more excellent resources for Child Care businesses at the C/NSBSC Library located at 1575 Brunswick Street in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can also access a selection of our most popular reference books at one of the Community Business Resource Sites located throughout the province. Call our toll-free number for the site nearest you or see the document Community Business Resource Network.

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

Child Care Stabilization Grant - Terms and Conditions - Day Care Regulations - URL

Department of Community Services: Licensed Child Care Standards - http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/files/child_care_standards.asp
Using Your Home for Daycare CRA Guide: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/p134/README.html

If you are unable to access any of the above websites, please call one of our Business Information Officers who may be able to help you find the contact information you need.