Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres

Regional Early Learning and Child Care Centres

The Region of Durham operates eight Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) programs that offer welcoming, inclusive, and healthy environments where all children can learn and thrive. Centres are open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with hours that may vary based on community needs. 

Below, you will find our centre locations and program fees. You can select any centre to contact them directly by phone or email for additional information.

We encourage families to explore our parent handbook, program statement and our waitlist policy.

The Region of Durham is committed to equity, inclusion and accessibility in all programs. Lean more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) policies.

Each year, we invite parents and caregivers to provide feedback on the quality of our services. For a snapshot of recent results, review the 2025 parent survey infographic for an overview of 2025 survey results.

Parents: ask your educator about How Does Learning Happen?

To request to be placed on the waitlist for a Regional centre, please complete the wait list request form or call the center you are interested in.

Wait list request form

Ajax

• Ajax Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 22 Centennial Road at 905-683-4001

Ages served: infant, toddler and preschool

Bowmanville

• Edna Thomson Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 410 N. Scugog Court at 905-623-6717

Ages served: toddler and preschool

Oshawa

• Clara Hughes Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 610 Taylor Avenue at 905-404-8012

Ages served: toddler, preschool, kindergarten and school age

• Lakewoods Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 353 Chaleur Avenue at 905-725-1425

Ages served: toddler, preschool, kindergarten before and after school, school age before and after school, and full days for kindergarten and school age during school closures.

• Village Union Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 155 Gibb Street at 289-928-6301

Ages served: kindergarten before and after school, school age before and after school, and full days for kindergarten and school age during school closures.

Pickering

• Pickering Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 1262 Radom Street at 905-839-5831

Ages served: toddler and preschool

Sunderland

• Sunderland Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 41 Albert Street South at 705-328-7171

Ages served: kindergarten before and after school, school age before and after school, and full days for kindergarten and school age during school closures.

Whitby

• Whitby Early Learning and Child Care Centre, 501 Dunlop Street East at 905-668-4751

Ages served: toddler and preschool

The Region of Durham is committed to providing excellent customer service by ensuring a respectful, equitable and harassment-free workplace and space for employees and customers. The Region has adopted a Public Code of Conduct Policy which outlines expectations for appropriate behaviour by all individuals when interacting with Regional Staff, Members of Regional Council, and other patrons and users of Regional facilities and services. All customers and employees of the Region of Durham are entitled to a respectful and harassment-free environment at all of our facilities and public spaces. 

The Region of Durham, as required by the Ministry of Education, has completed a Value for Money Audit on our Regionally Operated Child Care Centres. This audit was conducted by Deloitte, LLP. and has been shared with Regional Council. 

The Audit Report, including findings, recommendations and Regional response to the recommendations can be reviewed in the Executive Summary Audit Report. Full details can be reviewed in the Value for Money Audit Report.