Frequently asked questions
Purchase of service program – Licensed child care
- I want to open a child-care centre. How do I start this process?
- As a child-care operator, how do I enter into a fee-subsidy agreement with the Region?
- What should I do if I have a concern about a child-care program operating in Durham Region?
- How many children can someone care for in their home?
Wage subsidy
- As an owner/operator of a child-care program, how do I know whether my program is eligible to receive wage subsidy funds?
- As a staff member in a child-care program, how do I know whether I am eligible to receive wage subsidy funds?
Best Start
Full-day early learning
College of Early Childhood Educators
Fee Subsidy
- Can I be working and receive subsidy?
- Do I have to be on assistance to get subsidy?
- If I live in Durham Region, can I get care in another municipality?
- What child-care centres can I use?
- What are my options for child-care subsidy?
- If I have a recognized need, can I get care earlier?
- Why do I have to hand in a recognized need form?
- How is eligibility determined?
- Is there a cut off for child-care fee subsidy?
- How much can families now expect to pay for child care?
- What age is eligible for child-care subsidy?
- Who chooses the child-care centre?
Durham Behaviour Management Services
- Who is able to access services offered by Durham Behaviour Management Services?
- What services are available?
- Is there a waiting list for services?
- How are consultation services provided?
- If there a fee for your service?
I want to open a child-care centre. How do I start this process?
For information about the process for opening a child-care centre, contact the Ministry of Children and Youth Services at 905-665-1030 ext. 531 or 905-868-8900 ext. 7510.
As a child-care operator, how do I enter into a fee-subsidy agreement with the Region?
In order to be eligible for a fee-subsidy agreement, all programs must be licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and have been operating with a clear license for a minimum of six months. An expression of interest should be sent to the Manager, Purchase of Service at 905-668-7711 ext. 2640, who will begin the process.
What should I do if I have a concern about a child-care program operating in Durham Region?
All child-care programs are licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Any concerns should be referred to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services Parent Concerns and Enquiry line at 1-877-669-6658 ext. 5250.
Many of the programs have a Purchase of Service Agreement for fee subsidy with The Regional Municipality of Durham, Social Services Department (Children’s Services Division). Any concerns can also be communicated to the Manager, Purchase of Service at 905-668-7711 ext. 2640.
How many children can someone care for in their home?
Care can be provided for a maximum of five children in a home. There are restrictions regarding the number of infants in care.
For further information, contact the Ministry of Children and Youth Services Parent Concerns and Enquiry line at 1-877-669-6658 ext. 5250.
As an owner/operator of a child-care program, how do I know whether my program is eligible to receive wage subsidy funds?
For further information, contact the Manager, Purchase of Service at 905-668-7711 ext. 2640.
As a staff member in a child-care program, how do I know whether I am eligible to receive wage subsidy funds?
You should discuss this with your supervisor or the owner of the program. In the event that you still have questions, you can contact the Manager, Purchase of Service at 905-668-7711 ext. 2640.
What is Best Start?
For more information please visit the Best Start section.
Where do I find information on the Full-Day Early Learning Program in Durham Region?
Please visit the Ontario Ministry of Education for information on the Full-Day Early Learning Program.
I am an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). Do I need to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators?
If you wish to work as an ECE you need to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
For more information about the process, visit the College of Early Childhood Educators website.
Can I be working and receive subsidy?
You must be working, attending school or have a recognized need to be considered for child-care fee subsidy. A recognized need includes: special needs or social needs of the child, or the parent’s need for relief care.
Do I have to be on assistance to get subsidy?
No, you do not have to be on social assistance to receive child-care fee subsidy.
If I live in Durham Region, can I get care in another municipality?
For the most part, Child Care Fee Subsidy from Durham Region can only be provided if you live in the region, and receive child care from a licensed service provider that has a Purchase of Service Agreement with the Children's Services Division. However, the division does have a limited number of cross-jurisdictional agreements with other municipalities. Each request will be individually reviewed.
What child-care centres can I use?
You can choose any licensed service provider in Durham Region that has a Purchase of Service Agreement with the Children's Services Division. Information regarding child-care providers in Durham Region is available in the Child Care Services Guide (the “Blue Book”).
What are my options for child-care subsidy?
The Children's Services Division has Purchase of agreements with centre-based operators, home child care, recreation programs and nursery schools.
If I have a recognized need, can I get care earlier?
All applicants who apply for child-care fee assistance will be placed on a first-come, first-served wait list. Note: The wait list date is the date the Notice of Assessment is received by the Children’s Services Division.
Why do I have to hand in a recognized need form?
If subsidy is required for a recognized need, the request must be supported by a referral from a doctor, or other professional in the community who has ongoing involvement with the family. The Recognized Need for Child Care Subsidy Form ensures that the referring professional provides the Children’s Services Division with the required information.
How is eligibility determined?
Financial eligibility is determined by completing an income test using your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, line “236”. All applicants are required to file an income tax return annually, in order to be considered for child-care fee subsidy.
Is there a cut off for child-care fee subsidy?
Income testing uses a sliding scale to calculate the subsidy rate. Parental contribution toward the cost of child care for subsidized families is calculated at 10 per cent of adjusted income more than $20,000, plus 20 per cent of adjusted income more than $40,000. Please refer to the example below.
Further information is also available via the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
How much can families now expect to pay for child care?
Child-care costs for subsidized families will be based on adjusted family income, as shown on line “236” of the Notice of Assessment Income Tax Return. Assuming an average daily child-care fee of $43, the following chart shows what a family receiving a fee subsidy would pay for child care under the income test. No family would pay more than the total cost of child care.
Adjusted family income |
New daily child-care fee for licensed child care for subsidized families (As of Jan. 1, 2007) |
|---|---|
$20,000 |
$0 |
$30,000 |
$4 |
$40,000 |
$8 |
$50,000 |
$19 |
$60,000 |
$31 |
$70,000 |
$42 |
What age is eligible for child-care subsidy?
Subsidy is available for children up to12 years of age. Child-care centre licenses specify the ages of the children that a specific operator can provide care to.
Who chooses the child-care centre?
The parent chooses the service provider. However, the service provider must have a Purchase of Service Agreement with the Children's Services Division, in order to be eligible for fee subsidy.
Who is able to access services offered by Durham Behaviour Management Services?
The program offers behaviour consultation, education and training workshops to parents, caregivers and professionals. Service is provided to children between two and 12 years of age with significant behavioural difficulties, and children between the two and six years of age with developmental disabilities.
Please visit Durham Behaviour Management Services, or contact 905-666-6238 for more information.
What services are available?
Various types of services are available, including behaviour assessments, consultations, and education and training programs.
Please visit Durham Behaviour Management Services or contact 905-666-6238 for more information.
Is there a waiting list for services?
A variety of services are readily available, including workshops and consultations; however, there may be a waiting list for some services.
Please contact the Durham Behaviour Management office to discuss the available service options at 905-666-6238.
How are consultation services provided?
Durham Behaviour Management Services offers consultations to parents, caregivers and professionals to support children in home, child-care and community settings. Certified consultants design programs and make recommendations to help address children’s behavioural difficulties. These programs and recommendations can then be implemented by parents, caregivers and professionals with the support of program staff.
Please visit Durham Behaviour Management Services or contact 905-666-6238 for more information.
If there a fee for your service?
No, services are free to all residents of Durham Region.
), please download the latest