Types of foster care
Verified: October 2026
"Foster parent" doesn't mean just one thing. Here are the forms of foster care found across Canada — exact names vary by province.
Regular care
The "classic" placement: a child lives with you medium- or long-term while their family situation evolves. The most common form.
Emergency care
You're available quickly when a child must be removed from their home immediately. Short placements, sometimes days or weeks.
Respite
You temporarily care for another foster family's child — a weekend, a holiday — giving them a break. A great way to start gently.
Kinship care
A grandparent, aunt, uncle, or significant person cares for the child. Across Canada this is the legal priority: extended family first.
Customary care
Recognized notably in Ontario: in Indigenous communities, a child is placed according to the community's customs and traditions, outside the formal approval system.
Specialized / therapeutic care
For children with complex needs (trauma, behavioural challenges, medical needs). Extra training and support — and often higher compensation.
Banque mixte (Quebec)
A Quebec program: you foster a child with the possibility of adopting them if they become eligible for adoption. Quebec's foster-to-adopt track.
Where to start?
Not sure what would fit you? Respite is an excellent entry point: limited commitment, real experience. Emergency care suits very available people. Talk to your area's body — use our lookup tool.
Related guides
Becoming a foster parent in Canada
What fostering is in Canada: common requirements, process steps, PRIDE training, realistic timelines, province by province.
Frequently asked questions about foster care in Canada
20 FAQs about foster care in Canada: eligibility, payments, timelines, training — with provincial differences noted.
Foster care glossary
Foster care jargon decoded: DPJ, CISSS/CIUSSS, CAS, PRIDE, SAFE, RTF, customary care, kinship care.