As a parent, you want the best for your child. Licensed high quality child care and early learning programs support safe and healthy growth and development. Learn about your child care options and apply for a program online.
Due to COVID-19, the Province has ordered all regular child care centres to close. However, some home child care programs continue to operate. Parents are welcome to apply for child care in centres but the centres will not be reaching out to offer spaces at this time. If you have a question about the application process, please email chsadmin@regionofwaterloo.ca. If you are a health care or other front line worker, check to see if you are eligible for emergency child care.
What does quality licensed child care look like?
Quality child care is early learning. It means positive experiences and outcomes; it helps children prepare for school and beyond. Learn about the characteristics of a quality child care program below so you can ensure your child gets the most out of their experience.
| Your child is safe and engaged. |
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A quality child care program also lets children explore the world around them with their natural curiosity and exuberance. Being engaged in this way helps them learn to think creatively and to problem solve. |
| Your child can explore, interact and learn through play. |
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Educators support children by gently extending their level of thinking and understanding. This helps children gain knowledge and develop problem solving skills. |
| Your child is valued as active and competent. |
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Quality child care programs believe each child is competent, capable of complex thinking, and curious. These programs celebrate all social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. This ensures all children feel included and can thrive. |
| Your child is guided by knowledgeable, caring educators. |
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Educators develop supportive, nurturing routines that respond to your child’s needs. They provide materials and experiences that build on your child’s strengths and interests, and support their learning. |
| Educators enhance their learning to benefit your child. |
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In a licensed child care centre or home, programs must meet 
A quality child care program offers indoor and outdoor play spaces that are equipped to allow children to explore their ideas, investigate their theories, and interact with others. 
Quality child care programs help each child build on their own unique strengths and abilities. When educators take the time to observe and listen to your child and engage with them as a partner in play, they gain insight into their interest and abilities. This understanding really helps determine how to support and extend your child’s learning more effectively. 
Educators in quality child care develop positive, responsive relationships with children and their families. This involves daily communication between you and the educator to share important information about your child. Together you talk about your child's accomplishments and interests, and problem solve if you need to.
Educators in quality child care are lifelong learners. They continually reflect on their own work and they work with each other to explore new ways to help children learn.Did you know? Harvard University researchers say that in the first few years of life, more than 1 million neural connections are formed per second. These connections build the foundation on which all later learning, behaviour, and health depend.
For more information on what a quality child care program looks like, see the educator's guide, How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.
Explore your options
Browse the licensed child care options below to see the differences between them. This may help you choose a provider. The Ministry also has a list of common questions (available in 30 languages) to ask a provider when looking for child care.
| Licensed child care centres |
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| Licensed home child care |
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| Before and after school care |
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| Unlicensed child care |
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Apply for licensed child care
OneList Waterloo Region is where you apply online for all licensed care in Waterloo Region. You can also apply for financial help to pay for child care, and special needs supports (if you have concerns about your child's development). View answers to our commonly asked questions about One List Waterloo Region and the application process. Link to the OneList User Guide for parents.
Once your child(ren) are on a waitlist for a program, contact the program to ask questions and set up a tour. If you tour the program, look for a decal that shows it is licensed. Their licensing documents will also tell you things like how many children they can care for and the results of the Ministry's most recent licensing visit.
Quality improvement
Continuous learning and growth is important for children and for early years partners. The Region's quality improvement program is centered on this belief. Early Years Engage helps child care and early learning programs take an ongoing approach to improving.
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