Operating a Child Care Centre

Ontario entered into the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement, a $13.2 billion agreement, with the Government of Canada. This includes lowering fees to an average of $10 per day for children five and under in licensed child care by September 2025.

The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement will:

• give families access to more affordable and high-quality child care options
• help lower child care fees for parents of children five years of age and under
• increase the number of child care spaces, and  
• support the early years workforce

Licensed child care providers can choose to participate in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System to help reduce fees. If your licensed child care provider does not participate, your fees will not be reduced. Camps and authorized recreation programs are not eligible to participate in this program.

What this means for child care providers

As a licensed child care provider, you must apply to participate to help lower average fees for parents. 

Child care providers who participate will receive funding to reduce fees and must operate under specific guidelines. Contact your local service system manager for more information and to apply.

Child care providers who do not participate in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System must continue to follow the rules and requirements for operating a licensed child care program. They will not receive CWELCC funding to reduce child care fees.

Once your program has been licensed, you may be interested in applying for a Purchase of Service Agreement (POS) with the City of Peterborough to provide fee subsidy to eligible families enrolled at your centre. If you are a home child care provider interested in becoming part of the licensed home child care system, please contact one of the licensed home child care agencies that serve the City and County of Peterborough.

Opening a child care centre

• The Ministry of Education provides guidelines for the design and equipment of a child care centre.

Apply for a Purchase of Service

A service agreement for Child Care Subsidy may be available to agencies that meet the following criteria:

• Are a non-profit or for-profit child care agency
• Have a current license issued by the Ministry of Education
• Complete and submit the required Application for Purchase of Service/Budget Package
• Have been in operation for a minimum of one year
• Agree to participate in the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC)
  
• Provide services to residents of the City or County of Peterborough

Once an application is submitted for a POS, the following documentation is required:

1. Copy of Insurance. Minimum of $5 million in liability insurance is required.
2. Proof of License to Operate. Indicating how many children the program is licensed for, how many playrooms are operating and the ages of the children they will care for. Authorized Recreation programs must submit proof of authorization.
3. Current Fire Inspection. Must be completed prior to licensing approval.
4. Current Health Inspection. Must be completed prior to licensing approval and annually thereafter.
5. Completed Budget Package (available upon request from the Children's Services Manager). Including audited financial statements, financial projections, and salary information.
6. Parent Handbook that outlines the parent policies and operating information as required. Operating information must also identify days and hours of operations and parent vacation policies.
7. Current Fee Schedule. An approved fee schedule for the first year of operation with a complete listing of the cost of care for all service offerings.
8. Complete list of board of directors (non-profit only).
9. Proof of non-profit incorporation or business license.

All approved operators will receive a POS legal agreement which provides information for about the, requirements and expectations of the services and funding opportunities and related details.

The decision to enter into a POS agreement is at the discretion of the Children's Services Program Manager and is dependent on available funding and local need. Prior to entering into an agreement, the Program Manager will schedule a site visit to meet the operator and view the site.

Currently there is a temporary suspension on all new Purchase of Service Agreements with licensed child care programs due to funding pressures.

The City of Peterborough purchases Child Care services on behalf of subsidy eligible families from licensed Child Care Agencies in the City and County of Peterborough. Child Care agencies with an established Agreement are eligible to request an increase in their School-Age (6-12 years) fees once a calendar year.

Renew a Purchase of Service

To increase school-age fees, Child Care Agencies must submit a Purchase of Service Renewal package including:

1. Copy of Insurance. Minimum of $5 million in liability insurance is required.
2. Current Health Inspection.
3. Completed Budget Package. Including financial projections, salary information.
4. Parent Handbook. Outlining the parent policies and operating information as required. Operating information must also identify days and hours of operations and vacation policies.
5. Current Fee Schedule. An approved fee schedule with a complete listing of the cost of care for all service offerings.
6. Complete list of board of directors or owner details.

Once all documentation is submitted, the Children's Services Early Years Funding Coordinator will review the package and provide a written response within 30 days.

Wage Enhancement Grant

The purpose of Wage Enhancement is to:

• Close the wage gap between RECE wages in the education sector and licensed child care sectors
• Provide an additional $2 per hour wage increase and 17.5% benefits to eligible positions
• Help retain Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs)
• Support access to stable, high-quality child care programs for children in Ontario
• Support greater employment and income security

General Operating Grant

Is intended to support the costs of operating licensed child care programs to reduce wait times and fees for services, stabilize service levels and increase access to high-quality affordable child care services by supporting costs such as:

• Staff wages and benefits
• Lease/mortgage costs
• Administration costs
• Resources and supplies

Licensed Home Child Care Base Funding