Starting an unlicensed home daycare is one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to earn income from home while caring for young children. In Canada, many families actively seek small, nurturing home daycare environments—especially those inspired by Montessori principles.

This guide focuses on the practical, day-to-day setup of a Montessori-inspired home daycare: how to organize your space, create predictable routines, choose materials, and design calm, child-led days that actually work in a home setting.

What “Montessori-Inspired” Means in a Home Daycare

A Montessori-inspired daycare doesn’t mean you need expensive materials or formal training. At its core, Montessori is about:

Respecting the child as an individual
Encouraging independence and choice
Creating a prepared environment
Using simple, purposeful materials
Allowing uninterrupted work and play

In a home daycare, this translates to less clutter, fewer toys, predictable routines, and thoughtfully arranged spaces.

Setting Up Your Home Daycare Space

Choose One Primary Childcare Area

If possible, dedicate one main room to childcare. This could be:

A living room (this is where I set up my main childcare space in our home)
A finished basement
A large playroom
An open-concept area divided into zones

The goal is to avoid children roaming the entire house and instead provide a clear, contained environment that feels calm and intentional.

Create Defined Activity Zones

Montessori environments work best when each area has a clear purpose.

Common zones include:

Practical life
Open play / work rugs
Reading nook
Art & creativity
Snack / meal area
Movement space

You don’t need walls—low shelves, rugs, or furniture placement are enough to define areas.

Use Child-Sized Furniture

Child-sized furniture is essential for independence.

Low shelves children can access themselves
Small tables and chairs
Floor mats or work rugs
Low hooks for coats and bags

When children can reach and manage their own things, they naturally become more confident and capable.

Montessori-Inspired Toy & Material Choices

Fewer Toys, Better Choices

Instead of overwhelming children with options, aim for quality over quantity.

Choose toys that:

Are made from natural materials when possible
Have a clear purpose
Encourage problem-solving
Don’t rely on batteries or screens

Examples:

Wooden puzzles
Stacking toys
Shape sorters
Practical life tools (pouring cups, scoops)
Open-ended toys like blocks or figurines

Rotate Toys Regularly

Keep only 6–10 activities available at a time. Rotate materials every 1–2 weeks based on interest and developmental needs. This keeps children engaged without overstimulation.

Setting Up a Practical Life Area

Practical life is a cornerstone of Montessori.

Ideas for a home daycare:

Pouring water between small pitchers
Spooning dry beans or rice
Washing toys or hands at a low sink or bin
Sweeping with child-sized brooms
Setting the table

These activities build focus, coordination, and independence, even for very young children.

Creating a Calm Daily Routine

Why Routine Matters

Children thrive on predictability. A consistent routine:

Reduces behaviour issues
Helps children feel safe
Makes transitions easier
Creates a calm atmosphere

Your routine doesn’t need to be rigid, but it should be predictable. Below is an example of the routine I implemented for my group of littles - I ran a morning program with two different program options depending on the parent’s schedule.

Regular Toddler Morning Program (9:00-11:30 am)

Arrival: Free play
9:15 Songs, stories, dancing and/or games
9:30 Free play
9:45 Diaper changes & toilet time
10:00 Snack time
10:30 Craft time or creative play (think: kinetic sand, play dough, drawing etc.)
11:00 Diaper changes & toilet time
11:15 Free play & TV time* until pickup at 11:30

Extended Hours Toddler Morning Program (8:00 am-12:00 pm)

Arrival: Free play
8:15 Breakfast
8:45 Diaper changes & toilet time
9:15 Songs, stories, dancing and/or games
9:30 Free play
9:45 Diaper changes & toilet time
10:00 Snack time
10:30 Craft time or creative play (think: kinetic sand, play dough, drawing etc.)
11:00 Diaper changes & toilet time
11:15 Free play & TV time while I lunch prep*
11:35 Lunch
12:00 Pickup

*Depending on whether a child wanted to help with lunch prep I would sometimes turn on the television while lunch was being made. Educational programs were prioritized AND children were of course not required to watch television and could free play instead.

Sample Montessori-Inspired Home Daycare Routine

If you plan to offer a full-day program, below is an outline of what that could look like!

Morning Arrival & Free Play
Children choose from prepared activities while arrivals happen gradually.

Morning Circle (Optional & Short)
Songs, weather, or a simple story (5–10 minutes max).

Uninterrupted Work / Play Time
This is the heart of the day. Children choose activities freely.

Snack Time
Often self-served with support, encouraging independence.

Outdoor Play
Daily outdoor time is essential—rain or shine when possible.

Lunch
Calm, unhurried, with children helping to set up and clean up.

Rest / Nap Time
Quiet music, dim lights, consistent cues.

Afternoon Play & Pick-Up
Low-key activities as children transition home.

Setting Up Meal & Snack Routines

Montessori encourages children to be involved in meals.

Use real dishes (not plastic when possible)
Allow children to pour water with small pitchers
Encourage wiping their own spills
Sit together when possible

Meals are about more than eating—they’re about social skills and independence. In my home daycare, I focused on a mini-meal mindset. During the morning program children were provided with one snack (or breakfast + a snack if enrolled in extended hours program).

I offered snacks with a 'mini-meal-mindset' meaning snack plates typically included at least three food groups based on Canada's Food Guide.

In our home we prioritize organic, whole foods. Below is a list of typical snack foods I served during the morning program:

Oat flour blueberry & lemon muffin + cheese slices + smoothie
Homemade hummus + crackers + fruit
Pumpkin seed butter toast + yogurt + fruit
Banana date oat bar + cheese + smoothie
Ham & cheese roll-ups + fruit
Chaffle (egg & cheese waffle) w/ham + fruit/veg + smoothie

All food aside from crackers was homemade. We did also always have Love Child puree pouches on hand. I prefer these pouches as they contain more veggies and less sugar.

Cow's milk (organic 3.8%) and water was available to the children throughout their time at my daycare. If breastmilk was supplied, this was provided to the child instead via bottle or sippy cup. I did not serve juice. I offered a variety of cup options depending on the parent’s preference (sippy cup, munchkin cups, tommy tippee bottles, etc.).

Nap & Rest Space Setup

Create a peaceful sleep environment:

Consistent nap spots
Soft lighting
White noise or gentle music
Familiar routines before rest

Even children who don’t sleep should have quiet rest time.

Storage, Organization & Clean-Up

Everything Has a Home

Clear organization helps children clean up independently.

Label bins with pictures
Keep shelves uncluttered
Return materials to the same spot daily

Clean-up becomes a natural part of the routine, not a battle.

Keeping the Environment Calm

Montessori-inspired spaces are intentionally calm.

Neutral colours
Natural light when possible
Minimal wall décor
Soft background music or silence

A calm space encourages calm behaviour.

Final Thoughts on Starting a Montessori-Inspired Home Daycare

You don’t need a large house, expensive materials, or a formal classroom to create a beautiful Montessori-inspired home daycare. With thoughtful setup, clear routines, and a respect-based approach, your home can become a nurturing, engaging environment where children truly thrive.

Starting small, staying consistent, and observing the children in your care will guide you far more than any checklist ever could. Below is a gallery of my main childcare space.

Our Main Space

Our 'playroom' was simply our primary living space on our main floor - this space is right off the kitchen and is a complete 'yes' space. The room was designed with the Montessori philosophy in mind, meaning the room was a space where the child could feel 100% safe and confident.

All open shelving was toy storage, and all enclosed cabinets were baby-proofed.

The main floor was primarily where children were cared for during the morning program as this was where our playroom, kitchen and guest bathroom are. The toys were rotated at the end of each week, but if a child was requesting a certain toy that wasn’t in rotation, they of course were offered that toy!

Outdoor Play

We do have our own fenced-in backyard with a small play structure, child's picnic table and sandbox.

How to Start a Montessori-Inspired Home Daycare in Canada (Unlicensed Setup Guide)