Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
Region of Durham Logo
Contact Us
Engage
  • Living Here
    • 211 – Connect with local community services
    • 311 – Connecting you to our services
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Animal Services and Control
    • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Conservation Authorities
    • Counselling
    • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Early Learning and Child Care
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Emergency Services
    • Emergency Social Services
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Libraries
    • Living with Low-Income
    • Long Term Care and Adult Day Programs
    • View More...
    View our Garbage and Recycling page

    Garbage and Recycling

    View our My Property page

    My Property

    View our Roads and Traffic page

    Roads and Traffic

  • Discovering Durham
    • About Durham Region
    • Arts and Culture
    • Bike Month
    • Cycling and Walking
    • E-mobility
    • Local Food and Farmers' Markets
    • Maps
    • New to Durham Region
    • Parks, Trails and Conservation Areas
    • Spectator Sports
    • Sport Tourism
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Tourism
    • Tourism Festival and Events Calendar
    • Transportation and Transit
    View our Tourism page

    Tourism

    View our Tourism Festival and Events calendar

    Tourism Festival and Events Calendar

    View our Transportation and Transit page

    Transportation and Transit

  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • As-Built Drawing Request
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Business Directory
    • Business Count
    • Community Social Investment Program
    • Construction and Your Business
    • Construction Liens
    • Design and Construction Specifications
    • Economic Development
    • Events
    • Funding Resources
    • Garbage and Recycling Collection on Private Property
    • Housing
    • Municipal Consent
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Planning and Development
    • Public Health Inspections for Businesses
    • Purchasing
    • View More...
    View our Agriculture page

    Agriculture

    View our Business Directory page

    Business Directory

    View our Purchasing page

    Purchasing

  • Health and Wellness
    • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Clinics and Classes Calendar
    • COVID-19
    • Domestic Violence
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Environment and Your Health
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Check-Up! Reports and Health Plans
    • Health Information Services
    • Healthy Living
    • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • School Health
    • View More...
    Launch the Durham Region COVID-19 Data Tracker

    COVID-19 Data Tracker

    View our Health Care Professionals page

    Health Care Professionals

    View our Report Immunizations Online page

    Report Immunizations Online

  • Regional Government
    • A to Z Services
    • Access to Information
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Awards
    • Bill 23
    • Budget and Financial
    • By-Laws
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • CityStudio Durham
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
    • Contact Us
    • Court and Traffic Tickets (Provincial Offences)
    • COVID-19 Information and Resources
    • COVID-19 Recovery Framework and Action Plan
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Durham Region 101
    • Durham Region Strategic Plan
    • View More...
    View our Council page

    Council

    View our Open Data page

    Open Data

    View our Regional Services map

    Regional Services

I'd Like To...

Apply or Register For

  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Bidding Opportunities
  • Careers and Volunteering
  • Freedom of Information Request
  • Housing

Learn About

  • A to Z Services
  • Being New to Durham Region
  • Budget
  • By-Laws
  • Council
  • Durham Region Transit
  • Public Health Inspections

Report an Issue

  • By-Law Infraction
  • Downed Sign
  • Health Protection Complaint
  • Illegal Dumping
  • Missed Garbage or Recycling Pickup
View our Twitter Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page view our LinkedIn page

Child playing with toy train

Finding Quality Child Care

HomeLiving HereEarly Learning and Child CareFinding Quality Child Care
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Early Learning and Child Care
    • Becoming an RECE
      • Child Development Practitioner (CDP) Apprenticeship
      • Early Childhood Education funding opportunities
      • Francophone Early Childhood Education programs and supports
      • Indigenous Early Childhood Education programs and supports
      • Other Early Childhood Education post-secondary programs
      • Pathways to Becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator
    • Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)
    • Children with Special Concerns and Needs
    • Data in the Early Years
    • EarlyON Child and Family Centres
    • Finding Quality Child Care
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres
    • Resources for Child Care Professionals
  • 211 – Connect with local community services
  • 311 – Connecting you to our services
  • A to Z Services
  • Accessibility
    • Accessible and Specialized Transit
    • Accessible (Modified) Housing
    • Accessible Pedestrian Crossings
    • Children with Special Needs and Concerns
  • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Virtual Seniors' Learning Series
  • Animal Services and Control
    • Insects, Rodents and Bites
    • Rabies
  • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Adaptation and Resilience
    • Greening Regional Operations
    • Low Carbon Pathway
    • Natural Environment
    • Nuclear Generation in Durham
    • Roundtable on Climate Change
  • Conservation Authorities
  • Counselling
    • Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Services
    • Crisis Debriefing
    • Domestic Violence
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Individual, Couple and Family Counselling
  • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Bullying
    • Domestic Violence
    • Elder Abuse
  • Education and Schools
  • Emergency Preparedness
    • Business Preparedness
    • Emergency Alerts
    • Emergency Evacuation Centres
    • Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Plans
    • Know Your Risks
    • Nuclear Preparedness
    • Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
    • Ready in Durham: Expert Advice
    • Stay in Touch in an Emergency
  • Emergency Services
    • Ambulance and Paramedics
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Community Paramedicine
    • Community Partners
    • Designated Officers
    • Fire
    • Police
    • Public Access to Defibrillators
    • When to Call 911
  • Emergency Social Services
  • Housing and Homelessness
    • Accessible (Modified) Housing
    • Apply for Housing
      • Affordable Housing
      • Other Community Housing Providers
      • Seniors' Housing
    • At Home in Durham
    • DASH Login
    • Downtown Oshawa Support
    • Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
    • Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation
    • Homeless Supports
      • Emergency Shelters for Victims of Violence
      • Homeless Hubs and Street Outreach
    • Homelessness Coordinated Access System
    • Housing Supports
      • Renter's Toolkit
    • New Housing Projects
    • Regional Review Panel
    • Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing (RGI)
      • Community Housing Properties
    • Resources for Community Housing Providers
  • Libraries
  • Living with Low-Income
    • Canada Learning Bond (RESP)
    • Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)
    • Child Support
    • Community Health Centres
    • Credit and Debt Management
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Disability Tax Credits and Benefits
    • Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
    • Durham Community Legal Clinic
    • File Your Taxes
    • Food Supports
    • Housing Outreach, Eviction Prevention and Utility and Rent Arrears Resources
    • Low and No-Cost Banking
    • Low-Cost Internet
    • Low Cost and Subsidized Recreation Programs
    • Tenant Insurance
  • Long Term Care and Adult Day Programs
    • Adult Day Programs
    • Long-Term Care Homes
    • Long-Term Care Homes COVID-19 Update
    • Respite Care
    • Submit a Comment, Concern, or Complaint
    • Volunteer in one of our homes
  • My Property
    • Basement Flooding
    • By-Laws
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Land Development and Land Division
    • Private Wells
    • Permits
    • Property Taxes
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Woodland By-Law
    • Water Billing
    • Water Efficiency
  • Ontario Works (Social Assistance)
    • Additional Benefits
    • Emergency Shelters
    • Income Employment and Homelessness Supports Division Programming
    • Food Banks
    • Housing, Shelters and Homelessness
    • How to Complete an Income Statement
    • MyBenefits
    • Ontario Works Payment Dates
    • Spousal and Child Support Assistance
    • Supports in the Community
  • Planning for Growth
  • Regional Cycling Plan 2021
  • Roads and Traffic
    • Automated Speed Enforcement
    • Cycling and Walking
    • Depot Locations
    • Durham Vision Zero
      • Crossrides
      • Line Painting
      • Pedestrian Crossovers
      • Radar Speed Signs
    • Parking
    • Red Light Cameras
    • Regional Road Maintenance
    • Regional Roads List
    • Regional Storm Sewers
    • Report an Issue
    • Road and Traffic Safety
    • Road Construction and Closures
    • Road, Filming and Banner Permits
    • Traffic Signals
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Traffic Watch Map
    • Weight Restriction Season
  • Source Water Protection
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water and Sewer
    • About Water
      • York Durham Regional Environmental Lab
      • Fire Flow Testing
    • Backflow Prevention Program
    • Basement Flooding
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Connection Permits
    • Imagine a Day Without Water
    • Lead Service Replacement Program
    • Private Wells
    • Programs and Initiatives
    • Regional Storm Sewers
    • Report a Water Problem
    • Sewer Back Up
    • Wastewater and Sewers
      • Biosolids
    • Water Billing and Rates
    • Water Efficiency
    • Water Meters
    • Water Theft

Finding quality child care and children's programs in Durham Region

Licensed child care for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school-aged children is offered in centres and homes across the region. The Region of Durham owns and operates seven early learning and child care centres, as well as provides support to more than 300 licensed child care centres. 

The Children's Program Locator or the Child Care Directory may be used to find licensed care that meets your family's needs. A video to learn how to use both tools is also available. 

 Child Care Directory  The Children's Program Locator

How to use the Children's Program Locator and the Child Care Directory (video)

 

Types of child care

There are a variety of child care opportunities within Durham Region. Families can choose from licensed child care centres, licensed home child care, before-school and after-school care, nursery school programs and unlicensed home child care.

More information on the types of child care and what to consider when looking for quality child care can be found on the Ministry of Education's website. 

The Ministry of Education has rules for child care and inspects all licensed home child care and licensed child care centres. Additionally, many licensed child care centres in Durham Region must meet Durham Region's Operating Criteria. These quality assurance assessments rank rooms as exceeding, meeting, or not meeting expectations.

When you're looking for a child care, there are some common questions to ask the child care provider.

Here are some tips to help your child get ready for child care.

Recreation programs are also available to families, including in schools. While rules for recreation programs are established under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), 2014, these programs are not considered child care, do not require a licence, and are not regulated in the same way as licensed child care. For more information, consult Recreation programs, what parents and providers need to know. 


Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system

 

In 2022, the Ontario government reached a deal with the federal government to lower child care fees for families in Ontario through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. The Region of Durham, as the service system manager for early learning and child care in Durham Region, continues to work with the Ministry of Education during the implementation of the CWELCC system.

Effective January 2023, families who attended licensed child care centres who opted into the CWELCC system saw a rate reduction of approximately 50% off their parent rate since CWELCC implementation. Eligible families will see further fee reductions in 2024, 2025, and a final fee reduction to an average of $10-a-day child care is anticipated by March 2026.

The Ministry of Education has directed municipalities to manage the growth of the CWELCC system gradually from 2022 to 2026. This means that child care spaces created after December 31, 2022, are only eligible for CWELCC if they are within the space targets and align with the Regional Municipality of Durham’s expansion plan for directed growth.

If you have any questions about whether your child care provider applied for the CWELCC system, please reach out to them directly, or access our Child Care Directory and/or Children’s Program Locator.

More information about the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system can be found on the provincial website and in the frequently asked questions below.

Frequently asked questions

Am I eligible for reduced fees under the CWELCC?

You may be eligible if you pay more than $12 per day for licensed child care and your child is:

  • five years of age or younger.
  • six years old (until June 30) and enrolled in a licensed preschool, kindergarten, or family age group, or a licensed home child care premises.
  • your licensed child care provider enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system.

The amount that you save depends on the fees your child care provider charges.

Parents or guardians of eligible children do not need to apply to receive a child care fee reduction.

 

Can my child care provider enrol in the CWELCC system in 2023, or is it too late?

Licensees who opted out in 2022 and wish to enrol in 2023 may contact the Region of Durham to discuss options for enrolment.

If your provider is a private (unlicensed) home child care provider and wishes to enrol in the CWELCC system, they can reach out to a local licensed home child care agency who is enrolled in CWELCC to discuss options for enrolment.

 

When can I expect to see further fee reductions?

Effective January 2023, families who attended licensed child care centres who opted into the CWELCC program saw a rate reduction of approximately 50% off their parent rate since CWELCC implementation.

Eligible families will see further fee reductions in 2024, 2025, and a final fee reduction to an average of $10-a-day child care is anticipated by March 2026.

 

How do I know if my licensed child care provider has enrolled in the CWELCC system?

Families must speak directly with their child care provider to determine if they have enrolled in the CWELCC system.

 

What happens if my licensed child care provider plans to enrol in the CWELCC system?

Licensees applying to participate in CWELCC are required to communicate to all parents and staff within 14 days of the Region of Durham’s approval or denial of their application. Parents or guardians of eligible children do not need to apply to receive a child care fee reduction.

New licensed spaces who wish to opt into CWELCC may be eligible if their requested spaces fall within the funded space targets and align with the Regional Municipality of Durham’s expansion plan for directed growth in the early learning and child care sector.

 

What if my licensed child care provider did not enrol in the CWELCC system?

If a licensed provider did not enrol in the CWELCC system, fees will not be reduced, and the center will operate outside of the CWELCC-funded system. The provider must continue to follow the licensing and regulatory requirements for operating a licensed child care program in accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act.

Licensees who opted out in 2022 and wish to enrol in 2023 may contact the Region of Durham to discuss eligibility. 

 

What will my reduction in child care costs be?

Since CWELCC implementation, eligible families have seen a rate reduction of approximately 50% off their parent rate. Additional reductions will be implemented in 2024, 2025, and the provincial goal for an average of $10-a-day child care is anticipated to be implemented by March 31, 2026.

 

What if I was receiving child care fee subsidy?

The Ontario child care fee subsidy program will continue to be available for families who are eligible for financial support. The amount you will pay depends on your family’s income test and your child’s age.

Children receiving fee subsidy and who are eligible for CWELCC have had their parent rates further reduced effective January 1, 2023.

For more information on fee subsidy or how to apply for support Child Care Fee Help (subsidy)

 

Will I still be eligible for the child care tax credit?

The Ontario Child Care Tax Credit program will continue to be in effect for eligible families.

 

What are the next steps?

Effective January 2023, families who attended licensed child care centres who have opted into the CWELCC saw a further daily rate reduction of the already reduced parent rate. Additional rate reductions will be implemented in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The ministry plans to consult with child care partners on additional priorities to obtain information and feedback to inform the future implementation of CWELCC. 

 

Where can I find more information about the CWELCC system?

  • Letter to Parents English
  • Letter to Parents French
  • Canada-Ontario Early Years and Child Care Agreement

COVID-19 infection prevention and control in child care

The Children's Services Division is committed to working alongside the Durham Region Health Department and Ministry of Education to support health and safety requirements within licensed child care centres and home child care agencies in Durham Region. Operators and educators have maintained welcoming inclusive environments that promote a sense of belonging, well-being, expression, and engagement for children of all ages.

Individuals should continue to self-screen each day before attending child care. The provincial COVID-19 school and child care screening tool may be used. 

Receive email updates

Contact Us

Region of Durham logo

Living HereDiscovering DurhamDoing BusinessHealth and WellnessRegional Government

© 2023 Durham Region, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3, Canada, Telephone (within regional limits): 311, Telephone: 905-668-7711, Toll-Free: 1-800-372-1102

HomeTerms of UsePrivacyCareersA to Z ServicesContact UsSitemap
By GHD Digital