Operating a Child Care Centre
Health Department inspection information and resources for licensed child care operators can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
Early Learning and Child Care for Operators
The Children’s Services Division is the service system manager for early learning and child care in Durham Region. We work with the Durham Region Health Department and the Ministry of Education to ensure the safe operation of licensed child care.
The Ministry of Education has shifted child care expansion from open enrolment to a directed growth plan to create new child care spaces. As the service system manager, the Region of Durham has developed a directed growth plan that aligns with provincial directives and space targets while meeting the needs of communities across the region. This plan will be updated annually to best reflect the changing needs of our communities.
Please watch the website and Children's Services Early Learning Updates for updates.
Children's Services Early Learning Updates
The Children’s Services Division is committed to keeping licensed child care operators apprised of changes impacting licensed child care services in Durham Region. See below for the most recent Early Learning updates. Current licenses can access previous editions in the Chlid Care Operator Portal.
- Early learning update - April 25, 2025
- Early learning update - March 27, 2025
- Early learning update - February 25, 2025
- Early learning update - January 29, 2025
- Early learning update - December 16, 2024
Operating licensed child care
| Background and licensing | ||||||||||||
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Every application submitted to the Ministry of Education for a licence to operate a child care centre or a home child care agency must include:
Similar documentation will be required from licensees applying for a revised licence to increase existing licensed capacity. Applications for a licence to operatie a child care centre must include proof that the premise is zoned appropriately at the time of application. |
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| Opening a licensed child care program | ||||||||||||
| The Ministry of Education looks after licensing new child care programs.
The Region of Durham Children's Services Division (CSD) is the service system manager for child care in Durham Region. We look after system planning to make sure families have access to affordable, quality child care spaces across Durham Region. This includes oversight of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System and Fee Subsidy (subsidized) child care spaces. Licensed child care operators are eligible to apply for enrolment into the CWELCC system. Approval for CWELCC funding is granted based on alignment with the Region of Durham, Children's Services expansion plan for directed growth and the availability of funding supporting annual space targets for expansion as outlined by the Ministry of Education. To be able to offer fee subsidy spaces, licensed child care operators must enter into a purchase of service agreement with CSD by completing the Purchase of Service - Fee Subsidy application process. All staff working in licensed child care in Durham Region may access professional learning opportunities through Resources for Child Care Professionals. Licensed child care centres are able to seek access to Special Needs Resourcing agency support to help create inclusive child care environments for children with special needs and concerns in child care. For more information, please email ChildCareOperators@Durham.ca. |
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| Information and contact details | ||||||||||||
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Licensees not currently operating in Durham: If you are interested in opening new child care programs under the CWELCC system and are not currently operating licensed child care in Durham, please reference this web page and Child Care and Early Years for updates and information on expansion. CWELCC Opt-out licensing forms: Licensees who are seeking sign-off on licence applications that will opt out of CWELCC can email their completed forms to childcareoperators@durham.ca for processing. |
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| Wage Enhancement | ||||||||||||
| Operators must apply to receive wage enhancement funding. New operators enrolled in CWELCC or who exclusively provide service for children aged six to 12 wanting to apply for funding can email WageEnhancement@durham.ca to request an application. Please note: individuals may not apply. Individuals asking about their share of wage enhancement must fill in the Wage Enhancement Inquiry form. |
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| Purchase of Service- Fee Subsidy application process | ||||||||||||
| The Children's Services Division approves new Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service Agreement applications in Durham based on quality and strong community need. To be eligible to apply for a Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service Agreement, the licensee must be operating under the CWELCC system or only provide service for ages six to 12.
Operators can contact the Children's Services Division, Early Learning Team to indicate interest in obtaining a Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service. Should community need arise, those operators who indicated an interest will be contacted according to the date of contact. Please email the Early Learning Team at ChildCareOperators@Durham.ca for more information on expression of interest. The Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service application process requires a child care operator to:
If these factors are met, an application will be forwarded to the operator. Once the application is received, a budget check and Quality Assurance inspection of the site will occur and a full review will take place to determine if a Purchase of Service Agreement will be granted. The full process can take up to one year to complete. A letter will be sent to the operator with the result.
The Durham Region Fee Subsidy Payment Policy and Procedure Manual is available for more information. |
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| Durham Region's Operating Criteria (DROC) | ||||||||||||
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| Special Purpose Funding opportunities | ||||||||||||
| Applications for special purpose funding opportunities are currently closed. | ||||||||||||
| Forms and fee subsidy payment policy | ||||||||||||
Health Department information
The Health Department inspects all licensed child care centres in Durham Region to prevent the spread of illness. We provide information, control outbreaks and respond to complaints.
Infection prevention and control (IPAC) online learning course
Child care staff can support their education on infection prevention and control through the IPAC online learning course.
| About the learning course |
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The learning course has information about:
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If you have not registered with Adobe Connect register here.
If you have already registered an account with Adobe Connect log into the course.
Once you successfully complete the course, please print or save your certificate of completion for your records.
| Animals in child care centres |
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Animals can offer a valuable learning experience, but can also expose children and staff to infections and injuries, and are a source of allergens. Children can develop infections from animals. Younger children, under age five, are at a higher risk. |
| Application package for child care centres (new or altered spaces) |
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You can fill out and submit an application for new programs or altered spaces in your child care centre. |
| Cleaning and disinfection |
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You can reduce the spread of germs and illness in your centre with regular cleaning and disinfection. Use the resources below to make sure you are cleaning and disinfecting correctly:
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| Infection control practices |
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Use these guides for preventing the spread of germs in your centre and to help your staff follow correct infection control practices:
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| Keeping hands clean |
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You can stop the spread of germs and reduce your risk of getting sick by keeping your hands clean. Handwashing steps Hand sanitizing steps |
| Online inspection results |
| Outbreak management and reporting in child care settings |
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Outbreaks or suspected outbreaks must be reported to the Health Department immediately. Report an outbreak in a child care setting If this online reporting form is not available, please contact the Durham Health Connection Line. For after-hours public health emergencies, please call 905-576-9991 and ask to speak to the public health inspector on call. Use the following resources to prevent outbreaks and to detect when they occur: |
| Wee Care newsletter |
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The Wee Care newsletter is designed specifically for operators and staff of licensed child care centres in Durham Region, to provide information and resource material to help in their daily operation. This newsletter is published twice a year. |
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Wee Care manual |
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The Wee Care manual is an educational resource provided by the Health Department to all licensed child care centres for all of your centre's day-to-day needs. If your centre doesn't have a manual, please contact your area public health inspector. The manual has information about:
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Other resources |
Financial Supports
The Children's Services Division encourages licensed child care operators and providers to visit Invest Durham for updated financial support information. This website includes a variety of government and non-government funding programs, as well as links to funding, calculators, financial resources, and business supports.
Contact Us
Environmental Health Line
101 Consumers Dr.
Whitby, ON L1N 1C4
T.: 905-723-3818
Toll Free:: 1-888-777-9613
F.: 905-666-1887
Email Health Department