IEC permit to Canada: Travelling as a couple and/or with kids

Without relatives around to help out, you’ll need to find a reliable childcare solution as soon as possible. Here are some options for some of the main province/territories where you might base yourself for your IEC permit.

Childcare options for kids under six in Ontario

Daycare centres: There are plenty of licensed, city-operated or privately-run daycare centres, but they are expensive and waiting lists are long. Parents typically register in the second trimester of pregnancy for the child to start when they’re 12-months old! In Toronto, for instance, expect to pay CA$40/day in the GTA and CA$90/day downtown. In Ottawa, rates are around CA$1,000-$2,000 a month. Daycare centres do close for major holidays (and you still pay the usual rate). Finding a part-time spot (mornings, afternoons, a few days a week, etc.) is even more challenging than securing a full-time spot—it’s best to find another family looking for a flexible schedule and share a full-time spot.

Home-based daycares: Many caregivers look after a small group of kids in their own home. The maximum number of children is six for licensed providers and five for unlicensed providers. Rates are often slightly cheaper than daycare centres, but it’s best to visit a few places to see how they are run. To find a great home-based daycare, ask other parents at the park or keep an eye on community boards, Facebook pages, etc.

Pre-school: An early-childhood education program is offered for kids aged four and five in Ontario in the (free) public and (paid) private school systems. Junior and senior kindergarten can be a part- or full-school day. It follows the regular school calendar, so plan ahead for teachers’ professional development days, summer holidays and bank holidays. Note that school days end early in Canada and many parents have to rely on (paid) after-school programs.

Nannies: Some families hire a childcare provider who will only look after their kid(s). The going rate is around CA$15-$20/hour. It can be a good solution if you have several kids.

For more information, read:

• Child care in Ontario (on Settlement.org)
• Education in Ontario (on Settlement.org)
• Education in Ontario (on the Ministry of Education website)

The Ontario education system

Education is a provincial government responsibility in Canada, so there are differences between provinces and territories. There are public and private primary and secondary schools and four publicly funded school systems organised into school districts: English public, English Catholic, French public, and French Catholic.

So basically, it starts with picking the main language of instruction—English or French!

Grades are organised as follows:

To enrol your child, you’ll need to contact the school board of your choice. For more information, read How do I enrol my child in school?

Note that there are a number of alternative schools and that homeschooling is also an option under certain conditions.

Childcare options for kids under six in British Columbia

Daycare centres: There are plenty of licensed, city-operated or privately-run daycare centres, but they are expensive and waitlists are long. In Vancouver, for instance, expect to pay a minimum of CA$1,000 per month. The CA$10 per day Childcare BC scheme is being expanded but currently does not cover all areas/centres.

Home-based daycares: Many caregivers look after a small group of kids in their own home and rates may be slightly cheaper than a daycare centre. There must be one adult to every eight children.

Pre-school: An early-childhood education program is offered for kids under the age of five but pre-school in B.C. only operates up to four hours a day, so many parents have to rely on (paid) after-school programs as well.

Nannies: Some families hire a childcare provider or host an au pair, who will only look after their kid(s). A nanny costs an average of CA$20 per hour.

For more information, read:

• Find childcare in B.C.
• Ministry of Education and Child Care

Child care options for kids under six in Quebec

Centres de la petite enfants (CPE): These non-profit childcare services provided by a childcare centre are subsidised and offer reduced-contribution spaces. The basic rate is CA$9.10/day and it goes up based on your total yearly income. In theory, newborns and babies are accepted, but the number of spots is so limited that most kids only start at around 18 months old. Expect a long waiting list for a spot, so register early on La Place 0-5, a one-stop portal to find a daycare spot in Quebec (more info below!).

Private daycare centres: These for-profit centres can be subsidised or not. Subsidised daycares offer places at a reduced contribution, while others set their own rates (usually between CA$45-$65 per day). Note that taxpayers who pay for daycare expenses may be eligible for a federal tax credit.

Home childcare providers (“services de garde en milieu familial”): Caregivers are usually in charge of six to nine children (if assisted by another adult) in their own home environment. Providers recognised by a home childcare coordinating office are required to meet certain obligations, particularly in terms of children’s health, safety, well-being and development, and may offer subsidised (i.e. cheaper) spots. Non-recognised childcare providers are only allowed to look after a maximum of six children and they still have to meet a number of requirements to work. However, they don’t offer subsidised spots—expect to pay around CA$40/day.

Nannies: These childcare providers usually work in your home. Rates vary, and you can also share a nanny with another family. Au pairs are another flexible option if you can host them.

Pre-school programs: Some schools offer a “pré-maternelle” (i.e. Junior Kindergarten) program for four-year-olds, but it’s not yet a province-wide initiative. Kids who turn five by September 30 of that year, at the latest, can start “la maternelle,” i.e. Senior Kindergarten. It’s a one-year program before Grade 1.