Little Lambs Home Daycare Agency

From Families to Child Care Providers, We're Here to Serve

Family

Family, community and relationships are the cornerstone of our Agency. As a small locally owned business we live this day in and day out.

Providers

Business Partners with a Purpose. Licensing with our Agency elevates not only a daycare's professionalism but provides access to our one-of-kind Business to Business service.

Community Partners

"It takes a village to raise a child," and our village is strong.
Strong community partnerships equal benefits for all who access our services.

Business Focus

By focussing all of our business energy on our singular focus of "Home Child Care" we can confidently apply our expertise where it truly matters.

Become a Licensed Child Care Provider

There has never been a better time to open/license your home daycare. Our one of kind Business to Business partnership ensures you will not only grow a successful business but have the flexibility & equitable benefits to make it a successful and meaningful career.

Why Little Lambs?

*1:1 Mentoring and Professional Development

*Government Assistance for qualifying families (Subsidy and $10/day daycare plan)

*Start-Up Assistance to Start your daycare (up to $2000!)

*Licensing Options to meet your individual needs/wants (Full Agency, Fully Private, or Blended)

*Support with finding clients, interview prep, fee collection (full or blended licensing option), guidance and hands on support with parent communication.

*Supply Coverage! Our staff will step-in and cover your absence while you attend necessary appointments! Don't lose income, and ensure continuity of care for your families!

*Optional Insurance & Medical Benefits (we pay 60% of the premium!!)

*Access our Liability Insurance Coverage, (save money not adding expensive business premiums to your home insurance)

*Wage Enhancement & Government Funding to supplement your income

*No Extra Cost-HiMama child Care app to meet documentation requirements while keeping parents happy and involved in their child's daycare experience.

*Access the tax benefits of being "self-employed" while taking advantage of partnering with an agency

*Grow your community. Be a part of an amazing team of child care providers who support, encourage, inspire and motivate each other through respectful communication and community meet ups.

What is Required to License?

*Child Care Application (click here to access application form)

*Police Check (including Vulnerable Sector Screening) for yourself and anyone over 18 who lives in your home or will visit during daycare hours.

*Valid CPR/First Aid Certificate (level C)

*Proof of Required Immunizations or Statement of Conscious/Religious Objection for yourself and all persons in your home

*Home Fire Inspection (call local Fire Hall or Municipality to schedule)

*Children's Aid Society, Pre-employment background check (for yourself and anyone over 18 who resides in your home)

*Medical Health Assessment: Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner sign a letter stating you are healthy/mentally safe to provide child care services. (Child care providers work independently most of the time. We need to ensure there are no potential health concerns that could put children's safety or well-being in danger.)

*Pets: (dogs, cats, ferrets) proof of up-to-date rabies vaccines

*Review and acknowledge all Little Lambs Home Daycare policies & procedures

*In person interview with Little Lambs staff to ensure home and provider meet agency standards/expectations for quality care

Expectations and Qualities of Character we look for in Child Care Providers we license

The children and families we support deserve the very best. We are interested in partnering with professionally-minded individuals who have a passion for the early years. Regardless of experience or formal education, we expect all Childcare Providers to uphold our values, philosophies and have a passion for life long learning. If this sounds like you, use this link to submit a Provider Application.

Contact Us

Are you interested in learning more about our agency, or have questions that require a personal response? Submit your comment here.

What our Clients Say

Jeremy

We have had two providers from Little Lambs over the course of the past three years. Both providers have been amazing and our son has bonded so well with each of them. His providers keep us updated via text and the Hi Mama app; we can see photos of his fun-filled days and can see that he’s having a great time. We’ll be sad to say goodbye to Little Lambs when our son starts school this fall, but will continue to highly recommend them to any and all we meet.

Paul

My daughter has been going to Little Lambs Home Daycare for 2 years now and my wife and I are incredibly happy with our choice to use Little Lambs. Our Daycare provider Jen R. is amazing. She takes such good care of our daughter. My daughter looks forward to going everyday and has such a good time. Jen has helped teach our daughter her ABC's, colours, and so many other skills that she is ready for school already. We love the updates and seeing the pictures of all the activities and crafts they do. My wife and I could not be happier with Little Lambs and Jen.

Victoria

Little Lambs is absolutely amazing! If you are looking for quality licensed Childcare in a private setting I highly recommend their services. Our provider is absolutely incredible and I cannot say enough amazing things about her. I recommend her to everyone I know that is in need of childcare. The hours are very accommodating for people with crazy schedules. My son has an absolute blast and can't wait to tell me all about his day when I pick him up. I love the "himama" app that the provider uploads daily activities etc onto so I can stay up to date on just how much fun they have together each day. The owner of Little Lambs is very professional and helpful. Thank you so much for all that you do! I wish I had found this service when my oldest required daycare. It's honestly the best!

Stefanie

I can't say enough wonderful things about Little Lambs Home Daycare! When we moved to the Quinte area in 2018, I was worried about being able to find a reliable childcare provider. I e-mailed Kristina at Little Lambs and, within days, I had an interview with a homecare provider who lived only 5 minutes from us. We are so unbelievably happy with the quality of care our son has received, especially with the added precautions being taken during the COVID pandemic. We also love how flexible our provider is, because my husband works shift work so the days and hours of care we require is constantly changing. I highly recommend Little Lambs to anyone searching for childcare! You won't be disappointed.

Sam

My daughter has been going to Sara’s home daycare for about 9 months now. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her, and the Little Lambs Agency. The transition into daycare was seamless, and Sara loves my daughter like her own while she’s in her care. She gets SO excited to go to her house for the day, and for that, I am forever thankful. Sara is very accommodating, and an all around wonderful person to care for children. I couldn’t have asked for a better childcare provider, and hope there is room for any future children that may come along. Thank you Sara, and thank you Little Lambs.

Why choose licensed home child care?

Agency Oversight and Thorough Background Screening

Licensed child care providers have completed in-depth background checks (not only for themselves, but the other adults who live in their home or could potentially interact with children), are aware of agency Policies & Procedures and expected standards of practice.
Agencies conduct routine in-person visits (planned and unannounced) to provide oversight maintaining compliance as required. Little Lambs utilizes HiMama a child care App that allows for electronic monitoring of daily record keeping.

Access Child Care Subsidy and CWELCC Funding

Qualifying families can access child care subsidy through our Child Care System Managing Partners and funding partners (the County of Hastings, Prince Edwards Lennox and Addington County, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Metis Nation of Ontario).
NEW! Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care System (CWELCC) allows families to access reduced daily fees.
Phase 1: 25% reduction in daily fees backdated to April 1, 2022
Phase 2: 50% reduction in daily fees to come into effect Jan 1, 2023
Phase 3: Average $10/day across Canada
*CWELCC is only available for children under 6 years of age. Negotiations are currently ongoing (as of October 2022) with hopes to have funding flowing/credited and refunded to families by mid-late November 2022.

Licensed child care offers a rich view of the early years, following pedagogy that aligns with "How Does Learning Happen?" and researched informed practices.

How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years, views children as "competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. They grow up in families with diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. Every child should feel that he or she belongs, is a valuable contributor to his or her surroundings, and deserves the opportunity to succeed. When we recognize children as capable and curious, we are more likely to deliver programs and services that value and build on their strengths and abilities."p.6 (full document available here)
Licensed child care providers are required to follow agency Program Statements that align with HDLH and other current Childhood Development research practices.

Ministry of Education Inspected and Approved

Licensed child care agencies are required to maintain compliance with the CCEYA, and standards of quality. Agencies are required to submit and renew their license on fixed terms with the Ministry of Education. A Child Care Quality Assurance and Licensing Program Advisor conducts an in person inspection prior to a license being renewed.

Licensed child care is required to follow the most current health and safety standards and directions of Public Health

The pandemic forced all of us to confront our worst fears concerning our health, the health of our families, the economy and how public health measures impact our every day lives. Licensed child care providers were not only supported with free public health supplies, they were provided with ongoing guidance and support concerning how to best keep everyone safe. Moving out of the pandemic, Public Health remains a vital community connection.
Licensed child care, gives families peace of mind that these health and safety measures, including sanitary practices and nutrition are being implemented.

Licensed child care provides easy access to community resources/connections

Only licensed child care operators are able to make child referrals to the Resource Consulting Program. A resource consultant is a child development expert who works with the child care provider and family to best support a child with individual needs. From speech and language development, occupational therapy, and more, a resource consultant can be an invaluable resource.
In additional to Resource Consultants, good licensed child operators have established community connections with professional resources which they are able to share with families. Licensed home child care is truly accessing a community of support vs a single individual.

Back Up Care

With a team of licensed child care providers, agencies try to support back up child care requests whenever possible.

Home is where the heart is.

Licensed Home Child Care offers the benefits of licensed Centre child care with the added benefit of low ratios and a non-institutionalized environment. Children, can feel "at home," making new friends, developing skills/knowledge and forming a safe and caring relationships with a single child care provider.
With the magic of family age grouping found, predominantly in home child care, older children noticeably develop empathy, patience and leadership skills due to having younger infants/children in their environment. While younger children reach gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive skills more readily due to having older children to look up too.

We respect and acknowledge the important role of "Independent/Unlicensed" Home Child Care Providers. However, with the current need for more licensed child care spaces we implore unlicensed providers to consider the benefits of joining a licensed agency. Not only for themselves, but for the families they serve.

Submit a provider application