Finding Quality Child Care
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 |
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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:
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? |
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.
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