Region of Waterloo Home Child Care

The Region of Waterloo is licensed by the Ministry of Education to run a home child care program for children from birth to age 12.  Over 350 caregivers contract with us to provide quality care to more than 1,000 children in Waterloo Region.

More Information About our Program for Parents

Our program is available to all families, even if you need help to pay for it. Our consultants are trained in early childhood education and work closely with caregivers to ensure they meet provincial standards. They also work closely with families to form trusting, supportive relationships that help children grow and develop to their full potential. 

Please see the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care page for more information about the plan.

Home Child Care Set Up

Covid-19 Policies 

Updated Covid Policies and Best Practices 
Advantages
Home child care provides a unique and rich learning environment for children.  Siblings can often be placed together and smaller group sizes allow for more child and caregiver interaction.  Hours of care are often flexible. When you choose a licensed child home care provider, you receive these advantages and safeguards:
  • More hour availability with flexible options
  • Friendly home atmospheres 
  • Fee subsidies
  • Criminal record check and vulnerable sector check
  • Consultation with Registered ECEs
  • Child development screening
  • Access to free special needs resources
  • Back-up care arranged
  • Home safety checks and unannounced visits
  • Paying monthly with pre-authorized payments
  • Adequate insurance coverage
  • Tax receipts provided
Rates

Below are our daily rates for care, effective January 1, 2023.  The rates below are already reduced 52.75% for children under the age of 6 as applicable under the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.  If you are unable to afford child care, you may qualify to have some or all of the cost covered by the Region. Find out if you are eligible for child care subsidy.

Region of Waterloo Home Child Care Base Fees

Hours required per day

Age of child 

Effective 

Jan. 1,2023

H1 (Before and After School - under 5 hours)

School Age (before and after school)

Preschool Age (before and after school) 

 $26.00

$12.29

H2 (0-10 hours)

Infant (3 - 18 months)

Toddler (18 - 30 months)

Pre School (30 - 72 months)

School Age

$25.99

$23.15

$22.21

$45.00

H3 (10-18 hours)

Infant (3 - 18 months)

Toddler (18 - 30 months)

Pre School (30 - 72 months)

School Age

$29.30

$28.35

$27.41

$56.00

H4 (18-23 hours)

 

 

 

Infant (3 - 18 months)

Toddler (18 - 30 months)

Pre School (30 - 72 months)

School Age

$39.22

$38.27

$37.33

$77.00

Any fees for insufficient funds are considered non-base fees and are not eligible for a reduction under the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Explore our program
Check the status of a child care provider
The Ministry of Education has had a public registry of all recorded and verified child care violations since January 2012.

Register for home child care

Once you apply, one of our consultants will contact you to discuss your child care needs.

Apply now

Home Child Care Rock Painting

More Information for Caregivers

The Region is a licensed agency that contracts with you to provide child care in your home. We welcome applicants who are registered early childhood educators, but it isn't a requirement. However, we do require that you have experience working with children.

Advantages of contracting with us
Become a licensed caregiver with us and receive professional development opportunities and support from a registered home childhood educator. Other benefits include:
  • If you meet the criteria, you could start your business within six weeks
  • Wage top ups
  • Referrals to your home child care program
  • No fee collection from parents, we pay you directly
How to apply
  1. Register for our online information session by emailing HomeChildCare3@regionofwaterloo.ca or calling 519-575-4400 and asking for home child care. After the information session, you will need to submit a completed application form with references. 
  2. Your application will be assessed based on your qualifications, the location of your home, and the number of children needing care in your area.
  3. One of our consultants will conduct a scored interview with you in your home. You will be assessed for your experience and ability to work with children and later contacted about next steps.
Additional requirements
  • We inspect your home to ensure it complies with the Ministry of Education's Home Inspection Checklist
  • Current Standard First Aid Certification with Infant CPR
  • Criminal reference check for you and everyone 18 or older who lives in your home
  • Family and Children Services record check for you and everyone living in your home who is 16 or older

Resources for caregivers

Home Child Care Set Up

Are you part of our community of caregivers? The resources below will help with your professional development and provide guidance on standards to follow when caring for children in your home.

 Useful links
Policies and procedures
Sample forms for privately placed children
Home Child Care Resource Manual 

Contact Us