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.
Opening a licensed Community Care Facility
The process of applying for a licence can be challenging and we have several resources available to help you. We strongly encourage you to check out the orientation session PowerPoint presentations (click on the tab “Child Care application orientation sessions” to view the series), and Licensing Application Guides which provide valuable information about the process for each type of care (click on the tab “Application guides and resources” to access the guides).
Once you are ready to submit your application, please email the following documents to the intake team at REACHccfl@vch.ca.
- A completed Application for Licence form (available on the “Application forms for licence/amendment” tab below)
- A detailed description of the care program to be offered (see the Licensing Application Guides for helpful hints on what to include)
- Site Plans (see the Licensing Application Guides for examples)
- Floor Plans (see the Licensing Application Guides for examples)
- Information regarding the premise (if renting or leasing, please provide something in writing from the owner/landlord to show you are authorized to offer child care at that address)
- Corporation documents (if applicable please provide copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Notice of Articles)
If you have any questions, please contact the intake team at REACHccfl@vch.ca
-
-
Application for licence - Group Child care
This form to be used for new applications for non Family Child Care and In-Home Multi-Age Child Care facilities.
-
Application for Licence - Child Care - Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care
This form to be used for new applications for Family Child Care and In-Home Multi-Age Child Care facilities only.
-
Application for licence - Residential care
This form to be used for new applications only.
-
Application to amend an existing licence - Group Child care
This form is to be used for requests to change information that was submitted in the original application.
-
Application to amend an existing licence - Residential care
This form is to be used for requests to change information that was submitted in the original application.
-
Application to amend an existing licence - Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care
This form is to be used for requests to change information that was submitted in the original application.
-
-
-
Licensing Application Guide - Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care
-
Licensing Application Guide - Group Child Care, school age
-
Licensing Application Guide - Group Child Care
-
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 - Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care - Coastal Areas
-
Licensing Application Guide - Group Child Care - Coastal Areas
-
Licensing Application Guide - Group Child Care, 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
-
Food Safety Resources in Child Care Facilities
-
Food Safety Recommendations for Family Child Care or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care Facilities
-
Food Safety Recommendations for Group Child Care Facilities
-
Category 1 Low Risk Foods for Licensed Child Care Facilities
-
Category 2 Increasing Risk Foods for Licensed Child Care Facilities
-
Category 3 Higher Risk Foods for Licensed Child Care Facilities
-
Licensed Child Care Kitchen Application Guide
-
Sourcing a 3rd Party Catering Service for Child Care Facilities (8 children or less)
-
Sourcing a 3rd Party Catering Service for Child Care Facilities (9 children or more)
-
Eating and Nutrition for Infants to 18 Months
-
Eating and Nutrition for Toddlers
-
Eating and Nutrition for Preschoolers
-
Public Health Dietitian Services (VCH)
-
Appetite to Play
-
Canada’s Food Guide
-
Food Flair
-
HealthLink BC Dietitian Services
-
Food Safety and Security
-
-
-
Session 1 - Before you submit your application
-
Session 2 - Finding a suitable location
-
Session 3 - Preparing and submitting your application documents
-
Session 4 - Next Steps
-
Session 5 - Preparing and Providing Food
-
Resources
-
-
Community Care and Assisted Living Act
-
Child Care Licensing Regulation
-
Community Care and Assisted Living Regulation
-
Criminal Records Review Act
-
Health Act
-
Health Act Communicable Disease Regulation
-
Ministry of Healthy Living & Sport
Community Care Facilities Branch
-
Emergency Management Information and Resource Package
Ministry of Education and Child 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.
Find this service near you
-
Environmental health & inspections officesHealth Protection Office at 601 Broadway
601 West Broadway, 12th floor, Suite 1200 Vancouver -
Environmental health & inspections offices
Health Protection Office at Central Community Health Centre
132 West Esplanade North Vancouver
