Early Learning and Child Care
The Children's Services Division is the system manager for early learning and child care in Durham Region. The Children's Services Division is responsible for managing a coordinated and responsive early learning and child care system that supports children and their families in reaching their best potential.
Update on the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC) growth plan – Enrolment and Growth in 2023
As announced in December 2022, beginning in 2023 the Ministry of Education has shifted child care expansion from open enrolment to a targeted plan to create new child care spaces. A targeted growth approach will ensure funding is available to support new spaces in communities most in need of access to high-quality, affordable child care.
As the system manager, the Region of Durham has developed a five-year growth plan that aligns with Provincial directives and space targets while meeting the needs of communities across the region.
The Ministry of Education has provided municipalities with space targets for CWELCC-funded growth. Durham Region received the mandate to expand the CWELCC system by 2,029 spaces in schools and community-based locations between 2022-2026.
For 2022 and 2023, the approval of new CWELCC-funded expansion spaces is now complete. Approvals were provided to operators by the Children's Services Division in alignment with our growth plans and space targets.
In accordance with the Ministry of Education CWELCC growth for Durham Region, no additional funding is available for for expansion of spaces in 2023. Therefore, for the remainder of 2023, new licensed child care in Durham Region will be ineligible to receive CWELCC funding.
In Durham Region, the focus for 2023 ensures a targeted expansion of key age groups by leveraging existing child care centres to expand in place. This plan builds on our existing five-year service plan and will be integrated into our new early learning child care plan currently under development.
To determine if your child care program has been enrolled in CWELCC, please visit our child care directory:
Child Care Directory
Next Steps - Growth for 2024-2026 |
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The Ministry of Education is committed to providing funding for CWELCC as part of the new funding formula currently under development for release in 2024. The Region of Durham is currently updating the five-year early learning and child care service plan which will include the five-year growth plan.
Growth for 2024-2026 will align with the service plan and the new provincial funding formula and guidelines. Details on approval of CWELCC expansion spaces will be announced following the release of the 2024 funding guidelines. |
Regional Details |
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Approved child care expansion projects must align with Durham’s Early Learning and Child Care Service Plan including Durham’s plan for targeted growth. Growth will focus on priority neighbourhoods determined by variables that incorporate equity of access, demographics, socio-economic indicators, existing licensed child care capacity and annual growth targets for Durham Region.
Moving forward, licensees interested in participating in the CWELCC system must apply to the Region of Durham, Children’s Services Division for confirmation that their project aligns with the regional expansion plan and falls within space targets. If the project location and proposed capacity aligns with the Regional plan, the licensee will be required to complete the CWELCC application process for final confirmation. |
Background and Licensing |
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To support directed growth, the ministry made changes to the licence application and revision process. These changes came into effect on January 1, 2023 and impact all applications, including those that were submitted prior to this date and are still in progress.
Licensees may refer to the Ministry of Education ‘Enrolment and Growth in 2023’ memo sent to all Licensees on December 20, 2023. As per the memo:
Effective January 1, 2023, every application 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.
Additionally, as of January 1, 2023, applications for a licence to operate a child care centre must include proof that the premises is zoned appropriately at the time of application.
The Ministry is in the process of updating the Child Care Licensing System to reflect these changes. Until the system is updated, ministry program advisors will communicate an interim process to all applicants. |
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 a child care centre in Durham, please reference the Durham Region this page for updates and information. Due to the high volume of calls, we ask for your understanding and diligence to monitor web information, as individual information-seeking calls may take time to be responded to.
CWELCC Opt-Out licensing forms: Licensees who are seeking sign-off on license applications that will opt out of CWELCC can email their completed forms to childcareoperators@durham.cafor processing.
Licensees currently operating in Durham may correspond through their usual contact channels, including their Quality Assurance Advisor or the Early Learning Manager. |
Durham's CWELCC-Funded Growth Plan for 2023 |
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The growth plan for 2023 was created using data available at the time of development. The plan will be adjusted as needed to reflect actuals as new data becomes available and analysis continues.
The Region conducts community analysis using multiple data sets in addition to consultation with our community partners. The information is used in the creation of the growth plan.
To support targeted growth that best meets community need, applications for expansion within existing child care centres were reviewed with a focus on increasing age-specific spaces in identified priority neighbourhoods. Applications for new full sites (offering spaces for all ages) was the reviewed to further meet community need within our space allocation targets.
Additionally, demographic, socio-economic indicators, new-build data, early development instrument data, and data on existing licensed child care capacity was also used.
Priority neighbourhoods determined for the 2023 growth plan will be reviewed and updated for future years. Locations will be subject to change based on availability of existing real estate that meets legislative requirements for a licensed child care facility.
The Children's Services Division will continue to work with the Ministry of Education to support the expansion of licensed child care that increases access to licensed high-quality child care for families across Durham Region. |
Early Learning and Child Care Service Plan: 2018-2022
Find early learning programs and child care in your neighbourhood
On June 10, 2009 , The Durham Regional Council approved the Durham Region Child and Youth Charter – Children’s Charter. In partnership with the Durham Best Start Committee, children and youth came together in 2009 to review the rights of children and describe what they mean to them, using their own words.
The Children's Services Division strives to meet the diverse needs of children, families and the people who work with them. We support:
- Families who need help with the daily cost of child care.
- Children with special concerns and needs in licensed child care.
- Educators and child care operators.
- Families looking for licensed child care in the community or in our Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres.
- Families looking for EarlyON programs.
Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator appreciation
Share your appreciation for the amazing work and dedication of child care professionals, as well as the positive difference they make in our community, by submitting a Note of Recognition.
Send a Note of Recognition for child care educators
Consent: By submitting this form, you consent to this information being used in local child care centres, durham.ca and communications materials to help celebrate child care professionals in Durham Region. We may use quotes from your note, but we will not identify you, your child, or names of any staff in any external communications. We may share your submission with staff.
Update on the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC) growth plan – Enrolment and Growth in 2023
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