Multi-age care FAQs
Last updated on December 15, 2025
A group application should be used if:
- the centre holds a group or multi-age licence for more than eight children, or
- the centre is in a location other than a personal residence
A family application should be used if:
- the centre holds a family, in-home multi-age or multi-age licence for eight or fewer children in your personal residence
For more information, visit the base funding page.
What is the purpose of the multi-age child care categories in the Child Care Licensing Regulation?
The multi-age child care categories recognize that early childhood educators have training and qualifications specifically for the care and education of young children. The multi-age child care categories allow early childhood educators to care for the same number of children as in a group setting.
The in-home multi-age child care category allows early childhood educators to personally provide child care for up to eight children of various ages, without rezoning their residence. This was intended to create more spaces in home-based settings and provide flexibility in rural and remote communities.
Is the amount of operating funding that licensed child care providers are eligible to receive based on their centre’s licence type?
The main criteria for determining which base funding rates apply are:
- the number of children for whom child care is provided, and
- the location in which child care is provided: whether it is in the child care operator’s personal residence or a location other than their personal residence.
If a child care provider alters their residence to purposefully create a separate space for child care, will that affect the funding rate they can receive?
The base funding rate is not affected if the provider alters their residence for the purpose of providing child care. Rates are determined by the number of children for whom child care is provided and the location where child care is provided.
For more information, visit the base funding page.
If a child care provider has staff who assist in providing child care, is the provider eligible for the group rate?
The base funding rate is not affected by the number of staff. Rates are determined by the number of children for whom child care is provided and the location where child care is provided.
For more information, visit the base funding page.
Which rate will child care providers receive who are licensed to provide multi-age child care or in-home multi-age child care?
The rate these providers will receive depends on the number of children receiving care and the location of the child care centre.
For more information, visit the base funding page.
Contact information
Child Care Service Centre
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm PT
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1-888-338-6622 (Option 2)