Custodianship

A custodian is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident designated by parents to provide care and be responsible for their minor child while he/she studies in Canada.

The TDSB requires that a custodian must be:

25 years of age or older
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
Living within the school catchment area (for Gr. K-8 students), or reasonable distance from school in the Greater Toronto Area (for G9-12 students)

All applicants under the age of 18 to TDSB International Student Programs (TISP) must provide a notarized declaration, one signed by the parent or legal guardians in the country of origin, as well as one signed by the custodian in Canada, stating that arrangements have been made for the custodian to act in place of parent.

The Custodianship Declaration Forms (Custodian and Parents/Guardian) must be signed and notarized by a lawyer or notary public. A photocopy of each document should be uploaded to the online application portal or emailed to the TDSB international Students and Admissions Office by the required deadline. The originals will be required when applying for a study permit with IRCC (Click here for further information).

Roles and Responsibilities of Custodians

The custodian, on behalf of the parents, is responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the care and support for the student while she/he studies at the TDSB. The custodian should:

Be the official contact for the Toronto International Student Programs (TISP) and the TDSB school with regards to all matters involving the international student
Make sure that the student renews with the International Students and Admissions Office and make the tuition fee payment on time
Make sure that the student complete English and Math assessment before reporting to the TDSB
Bring the student to school with required documentation for school registration and to complete /sign all appropriate documents required by school
Assist the student with settlement needs such as opening a bank account, buying a cell phone, how to use public transit, etc.
Provide consent as needed by the school for academic programs and activities after communicating with parents and receiving their consent
Attend parent-teacher interviews and communicate with parents afterwards
Maintain correct custodian contact information with the school and the International Students and Admissions Office
Inform the school and the International Students and Admissions Office immediately if any change is made to the student’s homestay or custodianship arrangement
If temporarily away from the City of Toronto, for example travelling, arrange for an emergency contact person and provide the emergency contact information to the school and the International Students and Admissions Office
Monitor the student’s attendance record, report student absences to the school following school procedures, and communicate student’s absences to parents in a timely manner
Send student’s preliminary, midterm and final reports to parents and communicate among the school, the International Students and Admissions Office and parents/students regarding any related concerns and/or follow-up
Assist the student with solving any behavioral, social, emotional, and medical concerns and communicate with the school, student, parents and the International Students and Admissions Office
Assist the student with solving homestay issues and communicate with parents, schools, and the International Education Office
Respond in a timely fashion to requests/phone calls from the school and the International Students and Admissions Office in order to best ensure the student’s safety