Preparing Your Child’s Registration

The Childcare Services Registration Portal is the official government platform to search for and enroll your child in educational childcare services that meet your needs. Here is what you need to know before you access the Childcare Services Registration Portal for the first time.

Through the Registration portal, you can:

• create your family file and specify your needs
• search for recognized childcare services in Quebec
• register your child on the waiting lists of the childcare services you are interested in
• update your information and preferences
• receive notifications when your child is referred for a space or when an action is required

Prerequisites and Preparation

Government Authentication

You need a Government Authentication Service account to access the Childcare Services Registration Portal. This account provides secure access to many online services of the Government of Quebec.

When you create your account, you will be asked to provide specific key information, such as your health insurance card, to confirm your identity.

Have your Retraite Québec client number on hand (11 characters beginning with CL) to make the creation of your family file easier. We recommend that the family file be created by the parent receiving the Family Allowance from Retraite Québec.

You can find this number in the online service My Account in :

• My profile
• the “Avis d’acceptation de l’Allocation famille” document (notice of acceptance to receive Family Allowance – available in the 45 days following the birth of a first child, also sent by mail)
• the “Avis de modification pour les enfants suivants” document (notice of modification for the following children – also sent by mail)
• the “Avis annuel de l’Allocation famille” document (annual notice for Family Allowance – also sent by mail to any parents who chose to receive communications in a paper format)

If you consent to the use of this information:

• some aspects of your family file will be filled in automatically;
• your children’s identity will be confirmed in the system;
• it will be possible to determine if you receive the maximum annual Family Allowance, which may help you secure a subsidized childcare space.

Parents Who Are Registered to La Place 0-5

If you had an active file on La Place 0-5, it has been transferred to the Registration Portal if your child was born—or has integrated your family, in the case of an adoption—before the La Place 0-5 platform was taken down.

After confirming your identity through the Government Authentication Service, you can complete your family file in the Childcare Services Registration Portal.

Children Individual Files

Once you have completed your family file, you must create individual files for each of your children who are already born and for whom you are looking for a space in childcare. You cannot register an unborn child.

For each child file, you must specify:

• your childcare needs
• the child’s personal information, including special needs, if applicable
• the identity of the second parent (optional)

Confirming Your Child’s Identity

To avoid any potential suspension of your admission requests, you must confirm each of your children’s identity in the 90 days following the creation of their file.

To confirm your child’s identity, you can:

• consent to the use of specific information obtained through Retraite Québec (quick method)
• provide the Quebec civil registry registration number (NIREC) of your child (quick method)
• submit an admissible official document related to the child, such as a certified true copy of their birth certificate (in French or English), a health insurance card, a Canadian or Quebec immigration document (without photo), or an official adoption document

Types of Childcare Services

Learn about the various types of childcare services and their particularities in order to make an informed choice.

Admission Requests and Waiting Lists

To apply for a space, submit an admission request by registering your child on the waiting list of your selected childcare service. You may register your child on several waiting lists.

The admission process may vary depending on the type of childcare service you chose.

Childcare centres (CPEs) and subsidized day care centres use an automated referral system, while non-subsidized day care centres and home educational childcare providers have client pools and can choose children whom they wish to admit in their childcare service.

Interactive Map

Use the interactive map to identify childcare services by geographical area. You can access their description, which specifies:

• opening hours
• rate structure
• services offered
• specific prioritizing criteria if applicable
• any inspection reports available

To ensure optimal processing of your file and receipt of all key notifications, make sure to visit your account regularly and to keep your information up to date.

Access the Portal – Parents

Messages and Updates

Notifications will be sent to the email address in your file whenever:

• you receive important communications
• an action is required
• a change has been made to your file

Keeping Your File Up to Date

It is important to keep your file up to date whenever your situation changes. This helps keep your information accurate and avoid repercussions on your childcare requests.

Update your file whenever the following situations arise:

• you plan to move
• your contact details change
• your childcare needs change
• a change in your personal or family situation impacts your admission priorities
• your child has been admitted to a childcare facility

Also check that the list of childcare facilities you are interested in still matches your preferences and that your answers to the questions related to your admission request are up to date.  

Update Frequency and Impact

Update your family file regularly, especially when there is a change in your child’s or your own situation, or when receiving a portal notification. This helps keep your admission requests active even if your child has already been admitted to a childcare facility.