Find Quality Child Care and Early Learning
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.
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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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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.
Learn more about your child care options in our Parent Guide to Licensed Child Care PDF.
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.
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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