Looking for Licensed Child Care London and Middlesex?
One of the important decisions you will make as the caregiver of a young child is to choose quality child care.
Every child is special and unique and deserves the best care possible. Quality early child care and early learning plays an important role in children’s development and provides a valuable support to families with young children.
Child care programs licensed by the Ministry of Education must meet and maintain specific provincial standards set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act. Parents and families looking for French or English licensed child care may investigate licensed child care centres or licensed home child care programs.
Finding the Right Child Care for Your Family
It is recommended that parents and families begin looking into child care options early as it may take time to find suitable care for your family. Follow the four steps to make the best child care choice.
Find Licensed Child Care Near You
Search a list of licensed providers in your neighbourhood today using the 1list!
Be informed about your child care options
When parents and families are knowledgeable about the child care options available in their community they are able to make informed decisions about the model of care best suited for their child.
Licensed Home Child Care
Individual home child care providers are not licensed by the Ministry of Education but are contracted by home child care agencies that are licensed by the Ministry.
These providers may care for infants, toddlers, and pre-school aged children. They may also offer before and after school care for children.
Benefits:
- Government-regulated and inspected homes that meet specific standards;
- Siblings may be placed together;
- Small group size with a maximum of six children;
- Home child care agencies offer professional development opportunities, support, and monitoring;
- Child care fee subsidies may be available;
- Standards that must be met by providers;
- Flexible models of care may be accommodated.
Licensed Child Care Centre
Licensed child care centres care for infants and toddlers, as well as pre-school and school-aged children.
They include nursery schools, full-day and extended hours care, and before-and-after-school programs.
Child care centres operate in a variety of locations including workplaces, community centres, schools and places of worship.
Benefits:
- Government-regulated and inspected;
- Children are with other children their age;
- Staff members include professionals with training in early childhood education;
- The centre has to meet certain standards of care;
- Activities are designed for children at different stages of development;
- Child care fee subsidy may be available.
Licensed Before and After-School Care
Where there is sufficient demand, before and after programs are offered in schools for children from kindergarten through age 12. These play-based programs complement the regular school day with a mix of exploration, guided independent activities, quiet times and outdoor play.
Options for full day programs may be available during school holidays and PA Days.
Unlicensed Care
In Ontario, unlicensed, informal care is not regulated by the government. These unlicensed caregivers are not inspected by the Ministry of Education, and are not required to meet provincial standards. Caregivers may have a maximum of five children in care, including their own children. However, the Ministry of Education does investigate all complaints from the public about child care providers who may be operating illegally.
