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Early Childhood Development Services

License to Operate a Child Care Centre

Who Needs This License?

Anyone who wants to care for more than:

1. Six (6) children of any age (including their own);

or

2. Eight (8) school-age children (including their own).

Where can you get this License and / or further information?

To obtain further information contact the Early Childhood Development Services Section.
Phone: (902) 424-5499
Fax: (902) 424-0708

Office Location:
Nelson Place
5675 Spring Garden Road
5th Floor
Halifax, NS B3J 1H1

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 696
Halifax, NS B3J 2T7

Request to speak to the Supervisor, Child Care Licensing and Standards. If the decision is made to proceed to develop a licensed child care facility, the applicant will be provided with a Basic Information Package consisting of:

Notice of Intent to Apply for a License to Operate a Child Care Centre

Starting a Child Care Centre in Nova Scotia

Day Care Act

Day Care Regulations

Quality Inclusive Child Care

Application Process:
The Notice of Intent to Apply for a License to Operate a Child Care Centre must be submitted to Early Childhood Development Services, Department of Community Services.

An Application Package will be sent to the potential applicant.

Before purchasing or leasing a building, or before building a facility, the applicant must receive approval from the following:
• Regional Early Childhood Development Officer, who will review the plans and visit the site to ensure it will meet requirements of the Day Care Act & Regulations.
• Municipality, to confirm zoning
• Municipal Building inspector Nova Scotia Environment and Labour: Office of the Fire Marshal
• Nova Scotia Environment and Labour: water source
• Food safety section, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

When the building is ready for occupancy, written approval must be obtained from inspectors in Environment & Labour (fire and water), and from Department of Agriculture (food safety). These reports are to be included in the application package, which is sent to the regional Early Childhood Development Officer.

After reviewing the application, a regional Early Childhood Development Officer will complete a final inspection of the facility. If all requirements are met, a license will be recommended.

The application and inspection report are reviewed by the Supervisor, Child Care Licensing and Standards. Once approved, the license is mailed to the applicant/operator.

Waiting Period:
It may take up to 3 months to complete the application process, including all the required inspections. After all requirements are met, final inspections and final processing of an application can take 1-2 weeks (on average).

Expiry & Renewal:
The initial license to operate a child care centre is issued for no more than six months. Before the expiry date, an application for renewal form is sent to the operator. The regional Early Childhood Development Officer will inspect the facility. If all requirements of the Day Care Act & Regulations are met, the license may be renewed for one year for full-day programs and two years for part-day programs.