Health Department inspection information and resources for licensed child care operators can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
Early Learning and Child Care for Operators
The Child Care and Early Years Division is the service system manager for early learning and child care in Durham Region. The Division works with the Durham Region Health Department and the Ministry of Education to ensure the safe operation of licensed child care.
The Ministry of Education has shifted child care expansion from open enrolment to a directed growth plan to create new child care spaces. As the service system manager, the Region of Durham has developed a directed growth plan that aligns with provincial directives and space targets while meeting the needs of communities across the region. This plan will be updated annually to best reflect the changing needs of our communities.
Please watch the website and Child Care and Early Years Early Learning Updates for updates.
Child Care and Early Years Early Learning Updates
The Child Care and Early Years Division is committed to keeping licensed child care operators apprised of changes impacting licensed child care services in Durham Region. See below for the most recent Early Learning updates. Current licenses can access previous editions in the Chlid Care Operator Portal.
Operating licensed child care
Background and licensing
Every application submitted to the Ministry of Education for a licence to operate a child care centre or a home child care agency must include:
Evidence that the service system manager has indicated that the application is eligible to receive funding under the CWELCC system; or
Evidence that the applicant has notified the service system manager that they will not be applying for enrolment in the CWELCC system.
Similar documentation will be required from licensees applying for a revised licence to increase existing licensed capacity.
Applications for a licence to operate a child care centre must include proof that the premise is zoned appropriately at the time of application.
Opening a licensed child care program
The Ministry of Education looks after licensing new child care programs, including child care centres and home child care agencies.
The Region of Durham Child Care and Early Years Division (CCEYD) is the service system manager for child care in Durham Region. It looks after system planning to make sure families have access to affordable, quality child care spaces across Durham Region. This includes oversight of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System and Fee Subsidy (subsidized) child care spaces. Licensed child care operators are eligible to apply for enrolment into the CWELCC system. Approval for CWELCC funding is granted based on alignment with the Region of Durham, Child Care and Early Years expansion plan for directed growth and the availability of funding supporting annual space targets for expansion as outlined by the Ministry of Education. To be able to offer fee subsidy spaces, licensed child care operators must enter into a purchase of service agreement with the CCEYD by completing the Purchase of Service – Fee Subsidy application process.
All educators working in licensed child care in Durham Region may access professional learning opportunities through Resources for Child Care Professionals. Licensed child care operators are able to seek access to Special Needs Resourcing agency support to help create inclusive child care environments for children with special needs and concerns in child care.
For more information, please email ChildCareOperators@Durham.ca.
Information and contact details
Licensees not currently operating in Durham:
If you are interested in opening new child care programs under the CWELCC system and are not currently operating licensed child care in Durham, please reference this web page and Child Care and Early Years for updates and information on expansion.
CWELCC Opt-out licensing forms:
Licensees who are seeking sign-off on licence applications that will opt out of CWELCC can email their completed forms to childcareoperators@durham.ca for processing.
Wage Enhancement
Operators must apply to receive wage enhancement funding.
New operators enrolled in CWELCC or who exclusively provide service for children aged six to 12 wanting to apply for funding can email WageEnhancement@durham.ca to request an application.
Please note: individuals may not apply. Individuals asking about their share of wage enhancement must fill in the Wage Enhancement Inquiry form.
Purchase of Service- Fee Subsidy application process
The Child Care and Early Years Division approves new Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service Agreement applications in Durham based on quality and strong community need. To be eligible to apply for a Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service Agreement, the licensee must be operating under the CWELCC system or only provide service for ages six to 12.
Operators can contact the Child Care and Early Years Division, Early Learning Team to indicate interest in obtaining a Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service. Should community need arise, those operators who indicated an interest will be contacted according to the date of contact. Please email the Early Learning Team at ChildCareOperators@Durham.ca for more information on expression of interest.
The Fee Subsidy Purchase of Service application process requires a child care operator to:
Have a clear license with the Ministry of Education for at least six months.
Be operating under the CWELCC system or provide service for ages six to 12 only.
If these factors are met, an application will be forwarded to the operator. Once the application is received, a budget check and Quality Assurance inspection of the site will occur and a full review will take place to determine if a Purchase of Service Agreement will be granted. The full process can take up to one year to complete. A letter will be sent to the operator with the result.
The Durham Region Fee Subsidy Payment Policy and Procedure Manual is available for more information.
Durham Region’s Operating Criteria (DROC)
Durham Region Quality Measures for Home Child Care
Professional Learning funding
The Professional Learning funding application is open until September 30. This funding, provided by the Ministry of Education, supports professional learning opportunities that build capacity of the child care and early years sector to support the provision of high-quality programs that align with How does Learning Happen?, Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years.
Special Purpose Funding opportunities
Applications for special purpose funding opportunities are currently closed.
Forms and fee subsidy payment policy
The Health Department inspects all licensed child care centres in Durham Region to prevent the spread of illness. We provide information, control outbreaks and respond to complaints.
Infection prevention and control (IPAC) online learning course
Child care staff can support their education on infection prevention and control through the IPAC online learning course.
About the learning course
The learning course has information about:
Chain of transmission
Risk assessment
Hand hygiene
Hygiene and disinfection practices
Environmental controls
Outbreak management
If you have not registered with Adobe Connect register here.
If you have already registered an account with Adobe Connect log into the course.
Once you successfully complete the course, please print or save your certificate of completion for your records.
Financial Supports
Licensed child care operators and educators can visit Invest Durham and the Business Advisory Centre Durham for financial support information. These websites includes a variety of government and non-government funding programs, as well as links to funding, calculators, financial resources, and business supports.