Operating a Child Care Centre

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:

• Be a non-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
• 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. Including financial projections, 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 have their daily fees increased once a calendar year.

Renew a Purchase of Service

To increase 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