Do you want to open a child care centre?
You can find information about opening a child care centre on the Ministry of Education website.
| Wage enhancement |
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On December 15, 2016, the Ministry of Education gave direction to The Regional Municipality of Durham to roll out the Wage Enhancement Program in Durham Region. To get more information, go to the Ministry of Education website. The Ministry of Education's wage enhancement goals and focus are to:
These were essential considerations used to develop the process and expectations set out by the Region of Durham. We will support operators with the application process. Operators must apply every year to get this funding. If an operator does not complete the application the operator's organization will not receive an allocation. In 2018, operators that received Wage Enhancement Funding 2017 and submitted a Wage Enhancement Attestation form in December, continue to receive monthly payments to pay employees. All operators, including new operators, regardless of auspice, are welcome to complete the Wage Enhancement with Fee Stabilization application. The Wage Enhancement Application for Home Child Care Providers is available for licenced home child care agencies to complete. If you need help, you can contact the Wage Enhancement Team by email WageEnhancement@durham.ca or by phone at 1-800-387-0642 ext. 3782. Please note: individuals may not apply. Individuals asking about their share of wage enhancement must fill in the Wage Enhancement Inquiry form. |
| Fee Stabilization Funding |
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On January 1, 2018 the Fair Workplace Better Jobs Act, 2017 came into effect. The Ministry of Education provided funding to the Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) to support licensed child care operators with employees currently earning less than $14 an hour. The objective of the Fee Stabilization Support funding is to increase wages and stabilize licensed child care fees in Ontario. Fee Stabilization Funding information Operators can complete the Wage Enhancement with Fee Stabilization Funding Application form to apply for funding. |
| Purchase of Service-Fee Subsidy application process |
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The Children's Services Division approves or denies new Purchase of Service Agreement applications in Durham based on quality and strong community need. This allows Children's Services to make sure that growth of the child care system is well planned. The most important thing is that children and families in Durham have good quality, safe, child care and early learning programs. To apply, operators must have a clear license with the Ministry of Education for at least six months. Operators can call Children's Services, Early Learning Secretary at 905-668-4113 ext. 2691 to request a Purchase of Service application package. When it is completed and returned, we will check to see if there is a need in the community. If there is a need, a budget check and an inspection of the site will take place. The full process can take up to a year to complete. We will send a letter to the operator with the result. The Durham Region Fee Subsidy Payment Policy is available for more information. |
| General Operating Program (GOP) |
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In 2013, the Ministry of Education released a new funding model for Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) based on information about the community. The Ministry's aim was for CMSMs to change the wage subsidy processes into a GOP. Durham Region's goal was to use community input and research when developing the GOP. Licensed child care centres and home child care agencies, that are approved for a Purchase of Service Fee Subsidy Service Agreement in Durham, qualify for the General Operating Program. |
| Durham Region's Operating Criteria (DROC) |
InfantToddlerPreschoolBefore and After SchoolPlaygroundNutrition
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| One-time funding opportunities |
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The Region of Durham, Children's Services Division offers additional funding to support child care operators through: |
| Forms and fee subsidy payment policy |
Durham Region Health Department inspection 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.
| 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. |
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| Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Online Learning Module for child care staff | ||||
Register here
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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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| Outbreak management | ||||
Experiencing an outbreakCall the Health Department to report if there is a higher number of sick children in your centre, or if you think your centre is having an outbreak. Use the following resources to prevent outbreaks and to detect when they occur: |
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| Keeping hands clean | ||||
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| Cleaning and disinfection | ||||
Use the resources below to make sure you are cleaning and disinfecting correctly: |
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| Animals in child care centres | ||||
Children can develop infections from animals. Younger children, under age five, are at a higher risk. |
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| Wee Care newsletter | ||||
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Resources |
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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
