Childcare centres
Time limits following a referral (allocation of a space)
When a child has been referred to an educational childcare provider, some minimum time limits apply concerning communications between the parties and visits of the facility. The time limits vary, depending on the date on which the space will become available (more or less than 15 days) and the type of visit of the facility (optional or mandatory).
The time limits are designed to allow childcare facilities to fill their spaces on a reasonable time scale while giving parents enough time to make an informed decision.
Immediate response to the offer of a childcare space
It is extremely important for parents to respond quickly to a childcare provider that has contacted them to offer a space.
Space that will become available in more than 15 days
Optional visit
- Proposal that the parents visit the facility: within three days after the first contact.
- Second contact: within the next two days if the parents did not respond to the first contact.
- Time limit for a response from the parents: two days after the visit or after stating that they do not wish to visit the facility.
Mandatory visit
- Proposal that the parents visit the facility: within five days after the first contact.
- Second contact: within the next two days if the parents did not respond to the first contact.
- Time limit for a response from the parents: two days after the visit.
Space that will become available in 15 days or less
Optional visit
- Proposal that the parents visit the facility: within two days after the first contact.
- Second contact: the following day if the parents did not respond to the first contact.
- Time limit for a response from the parents: one day after the visit or after stating that they do not wish to visit the facility.
Mandatory visit
- Proposal that the parents visit the facility: within three days after the first contact.
- Second contact: the following day if the parents did not respond to the first contact.
- Time limit for a response from the parents: one day after the visit.
Special provisions
Flexible time limits
The time limits stated are the minimum allowed. A childcare facility may give parents more time to visit the facility or respond to the offer of a space.
It is important to note that Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays are not included in calculating a time limit.
Calculating a time limit for responding
The time limit within which parents must respond is counted from the day after the visit, at whatever time of day the visit takes place. If the visit takes place on a Tuesday, the time limit begins to run on Wednesday.
Importance of the time limit when a child is referred
First refusal for a failure to respond
If the childcare facility refuses a child because the parents failed to respond within an applicable time limit, the child's registration is suspended and the child may not be referred again until the parents have updated the file.
Second refusal for a failure to respond
If a childcare facility refuses a child for a second time for the same reason, the child is withdrawn from the waiting list and loses all the days gained from being on the list.
Last update: February 4, 2026