Early learning and child care centres operated by The Regional Municipality of Durham began to reopen on June 29, following the closure of emergency child care sites. For child care centres not operated by the Region of Durham, families should contact their child care centre directly for information regarding reopening of programs. Learn more.
Get the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Durham Region at durham.ca/NovelCoronavirus. For information about impacts to Regional programs and services, visit durham.ca/ServiceChanges.
In Durham, the Children's Services Division, as the system manager for early learning and child care is committed to reopening early learning and child care programs in a way that ensures learning and care environments are safe places that support healthy development. We understand that reopening needs to occur in a professional well thought out manner and requires preparation.
The provincial government has provided suggestions to all operators to help them prioritize child care spaces, including for children who were accessing emergency child care, parents who must return to work and cannot work from home, and special circumstances.
Additionally, the guidelines share that until the enhanced measures are amended child care operators are not able to charge fees or deposits to families for preferred access to spaces; operators are not allowed to charge fees if families do not have access to a space or decide not to accept a space; and, licensed home child care providers must give parents 30 days to indicate whether they want to keep their space.
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. In 2020, we invite children and youth across Durham Region to gather, once again, and consider the meaning of these rights.
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.
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