What qualification do nannies and early childcare workers need?

Last revised March 05, 2024

British Columbia has two categories for childcare: Licensed or Licence-not-required (LNR).

To work in a Licensed childcare program as defined under the Child Care Licensing Regulation, B.C. Reg. 332/2007, employees must have either an Early Childhood Educator certificate or Early Childhood Educator Assistant certificate. Depending on the type of licensed childcare, additional qualifications may include: a criminal check, first aid certificate, or a number of training hours completed. 

Licence-not-required (LNR) child care providers do not require formal child care training. As outlined in the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, [SBC 2002] c.75., a LNR child care provider can only care for two children or one sibling group (brothers and sisters) of any age, that are not related to the care provider by blood or marriage, and that the care is provided either in the LNR child care provider's home or the child’s family home.

While a LNR child care provider is not required to hold any qualifications, it is encouraged to register with a local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) program to become a Register Licence Not Required Child Care Provider. Registration means these care providers have met a number of requirements, such as:  Criminal record check, home safety assessment, physician’s report on their physical and emotional capacity to care for children, first aid training, and participation in child care training courses or workshops.