Yes, You Can Take This Course Before You're 19 — Here's How

One question we hear often: "I'm not 19 yet — can I still take the Responsible Adult Course?"

The answer is yes. You're welcome to complete the course and earn your certificate before turning 19. The one thing to know is that, officially, you can't begin working in a licensed childcare setting until you reach 19 — that's a provincial requirement, not something tied to the course itself.

That said, there is a path around this for the right situation: an employer can request an exception on your behalf through the local Child Care Licensing Officer. If a licensing officer approves it, you may be able to start working before turning 19. It's not automatic, and it depends on the individual circumstances, but it's absolutely worth exploring if you're a strong candidate and have an employer willing to advocate for you.

So if you're young and eager to get started in childcare, don't wait until your 19th birthday to begin. Complete your certification now, and start those conversations with potential employers about what might be possible sooner.