Starting up a childcare program from scratch in Ontario is an exciting yet demanding endeavour, whether you are planning to open a licensed home daycare or a centre-based childcare program. New childcare providers often face challenges navigating government legislation, understanding licensing requirements, preparing the physical environment, and building trust-based relationships with parents and caregivers. These hurdles can delay or complicate the launch process if not approached with the right guidance and support.
Through decades of hands-on experience in the childcare sector, Sandra Vella, founder of Daycare Consulting Services and a licensed home daycare operator in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), provides personalized support to new childcare business owners. Her expertise helps operators confidently move through the licensing and setup process while remaining compliant and well-prepared, whether they are establishing a childcare centre or working toward operating a licensed home daycare.
The Complexities Associated with Establishing a Childcare Business in Ontario
Ontario has one of the most comprehensive and structured childcare licensing systems in Canada. The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) sets rigorous provincial requirements to uphold quality and safety for children. While these standards apply to both licensed home child care providers and childcare centres, they also create a higher level of complexity for new childcare entrepreneurs who are working to successfully launch their programs.
Depending on the type of childcare being established, new providers may encounter different regulatory and operational challenges. Some common challenges include:
- Understanding the licensing requirements for operating a licensed home child care program versus a childcare centre
- Meeting zoning, space, and safety regulations, which differ between home-based and centre-based settings
- Completing inspection-readiness checklists specific to the type of licence being pursued
- Developing policies and procedures appropriate to either a home child care environment or a childcare centre
- Ensuring staff or providers meet CCEYA training and compliance requirements
- Creating a parent enrolment and marketing plan aligned with the chosen childcare model
Without the guidance and support of an experienced child care consultant, even small oversights — whether related to a home child care program or a childcare centre — can lead to licensing delays, failed inspections, or the need for additional time and resources to correct issues before approval is granted.
Professional Consulting for Successful Childcare Startups
Professional daycare consulting serves as both a guide and a safety net for new childcare providers, ensuring that every step is completed correctly from the beginning. At Daycare Consulting Services, Sandra Vella works closely with new providers to offer hands-on, personalized support throughout the daycare licensing process.
Step-by-Step Support with the Licensing Process
One of the core services offered by Daycare Consulting Services is guiding clients through the entire daycare licence application process. With Sandra’s expertise, clients receive support in:
- Identifying whether they should apply for a childcare centre licence or a licensed home child care licence
- Gathering and organizing the required documentation for submission to the Ministry of Education
- Preparing to meet health, safety, and fire standards
- Getting inspection-ready for the pre-licensing visit
- Avoiding common compliance and documentation errors
By providing this level of hands-on guidance, Sandra and Daycare Consulting Services help childcare entrepreneurs clearly understand the licensing process, reduce delays, and move forward with greater confidence as they work toward opening their childcare program.
- Home Child Care Licensing Simplified
For many people interested in starting a daycare, obtaining a license for home daycare is the most feasible route into the childcare business. However, there is a unique set of regulations governing home based daycare licences.
Daycare Consulting Services will help ensure:
- Your residence complies with provincial safety regulations
- Your calculations for capacity and age groups are accurate
- You have created your emergency procedures and daily routines according to ministry regulations
- Consultants help you prepare thoroughly to increase the likelihood of passing your inspection.
Through the use of an expert to assist you, you can feel confident launching as a legal and safe daycare operator.
- Preparing to Operate Beyond Licensing
Licensing is just one aspect of becoming a successful daycare centre. Consultants will help develop:
- Policies and Procedures Manual
- Framework for Daily Program
- Staff Hiring and Supervision Manual
- Incident Reporting System
- Parent Communication Protocol
These items help to protect daycare owners legally, but also allow daycare owners to build trust with the families they serve.
Marketing & Enrolling New Daycare Businesses
Opening your doors is only the first step — building consistent enrolment is what ensures long-term sustainability for a daycare business. With expertise in marketing, communications, and internet technology, Daycare Consulting Services helps new childcare providers bridge the gap between licensing compliance and business growth. This integrated approach supports daycare operators in attracting families, strengthening visibility, and creating a program that can remain operational and financially sustainable over time.
The following are some of the items that Daycare Consulting Services provides to help new daycare businesses grow:
- Marketing Your Childcare Website/Creating an Online Presence
- Strategies to Manage Parent Inquiries
- Plans for Growing Your Enrollment
- Networking within Your Community
- Branding and Messaging to Build Trust
Thus, your new childcare startup business will not just open; it will thrive.
Support for Daycare, Both to Operators and Families
Most consulting agencies do one side of the childcare industry.
Daycare Consulting Services does both:
✔ For Operators
- Preparing for Licensing and Inspections
- Monitoring Ongoing Compliance
- Providing Guidance on Operations
- Helping Establish Business Sustainability
✔ For Families
- Finding Quality In-Home Daycare
- Finding Licensed Daycare Spots Available
- Providing Safe, Approved Daycare Environments
- Matching Children to Appropriate Care Providers
By Supporting Both Operators and Families, Daycare Consulting Services Strengthens the Child Care Community Across Ontario.
Why is Working with a Consultant Who Is a Licensed Operator Advantageous?
Sandra Vella, an experienced childcare professional and Consultant at Daycare Consulting Services, has been working in the childcare field since 1987. As a provider of early childhood education from George Brown College, she brings over 30 years of real operational experience to her work as a Consultant and provides credibility to all of her consulting clients.
In addition to extensive work as a front-line childcare provider, Sandra has held numerous positions relating to childcare operations.
Her broad areas of experience include:
- Managing and overseeing both independent and not-for-profit childcare operations
- Providing operationally based assessments and compliance audits
- Providing operators with mentoring and supervision
- Overseeing compliance with licensing regulations
- Providing both marketing and technological assistance
Not only does Daycare Consulting Services provide a high level of credibility in all of its recommendations to clients, but it also holds an active license as a home childcare operator within the Greater Toronto Area. This means that you can rest assured that all of your recommendations are based on proven operational experience, not just theory.
Why Choose Professional Daycare Consulting?
There is no comparison between the expenses associated with using a consultant as opposed to the costs incurred with:
- Inspections that have failed,
- Delays in your ability to operate,
- Inaccurate or improper documentation,
- Legal penalties associated with non-compliance,
- Low enrolments due to under-marketing,
With expert support, you benefit from:
- Faster progress through the daycare licensing process.
- Reduced risk
- Professional systems from day one
- Improved program credibility
- Faster enrolment growth
Final Thoughts
Launching a successful daycare or childcare startup in Ontario requires more than passion — it demands regulatory accuracy, strategic planning, and professional execution. Whether you are seeking an in-home license or planning a centre-based facility, daycare consulting provides the expertise, structure, and confidence needed to succeed.
With decades of industry leadership, hands-on licensing experience, and business development expertise, Daycare Consulting Services continues to support new providers in building safe, compliant, and thriving childcare programs across Ontario.
