Daycare FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Get expert answers to common questions about finding, choosing, and applying for daycare in Ontario
Licensing & Safety
Are all daycares in your directory licensed?
Yes, all 10,000+ daycare centers in our directory are licensed by their respective provincial ministries (Ontario Ministry of Education and BC Ministry of Children and Family Development). We only include facilities that meet provincial regulatory requirements for childcare services.
How often are daycares inspected in Ontario?
Licensed daycares in Ontario are inspected at least once per year by the Ministry of Education. Additional unannounced inspections may occur based on complaints or concerns.
What safety standards must daycares meet?
Ontario daycares must meet strict safety standards including background checks for all staff, safe physical environments, proper supervision ratios, emergency procedures, and health and safety protocols.
How do I verify a daycare's license status?
You can verify a daycare's license through our platform, which shows current licensing status, or check directly with the Ontario Ministry of Education's online license verification system.
What should I do if I have safety concerns about a daycare?
Report safety concerns immediately to the daycare director first. If unresolved, contact the Ontario Ministry of Education's Child Care Quality Assurance office at 1-877-510-5333.
Cost & Subsidies
How much does daycare cost in different Ontario cities?
Daycare costs vary significantly by location and age group. In Toronto, infant care averages $2,000-$2,200/month, while smaller cities may range $1,200-$1,600/month. Our platform shows real pricing for each location.
What childcare subsidies are available in Ontario?
Ontario offers several subsidy programs including the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, local municipal subsidies, and fee assistance programs based on family income.
How do I apply for daycare subsidy in Ontario?
Apply for childcare subsidies through your local municipality or consolidated municipal service manager. Each region has different application processes and eligibility requirements.
When should I apply for subsidized daycare?
Apply for subsidized daycare as early as possible, ideally 6-12 months before you need care. Wait times can be extensive, and subsidy approval may take several months.
What income levels qualify for childcare subsidy?
Subsidy eligibility varies by municipality but generally supports low to moderate-income families. Most programs consider household income, family size, and special circumstances in determining eligibility.
Age Groups & Programs
What age groups do Ontario daycares serve?
Ontario daycares typically serve children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. Programs include infant care (0-18 months), toddler care (18 months-2.5 years), preschool (2.5-4 years), and school-age care (4-12 years).
Do daycares accept newborns?
Many licensed daycares accept infants as young as 6 weeks old, though some may have minimum age requirements of 3-4 months. Infant programs require specialized care with lower child-to-staff ratios.
What's the difference between daycare and preschool?
Daycare provides full-day care for working parents, while preschool typically offers part-time educational programs. Many daycares include preschool curriculum, and some preschools offer extended care options.
Do daycares provide meals and snacks?
Most licensed daycares provide nutritious meals and snacks following Canada's Food Guide. Some may require parents to provide certain meals or accommodate special dietary needs.
What educational programs do daycares offer?
Quality daycares offer age-appropriate educational activities including early literacy, numeracy, creative arts, outdoor play, and social skill development. Many follow Ontario's Early Learning Framework.
Search & Selection
How far in advance should I look for daycare?
Start looking for daycare 6-12 months before you need care. Popular centers may have long wait lists, and you'll need time to tour facilities and complete applications.
What questions should I ask during a daycare tour?
Ask about staff qualifications, daily routines, curriculum, discipline policies, meals, safety procedures, communication methods, and how they handle emergencies or behavioral issues.
How do I know if a daycare is high quality?
High-quality daycares have qualified ECE staff, clean and safe environments, structured programs, positive staff-child interactions, good communication with parents, and current licensing without violations.
What are red flags when choosing daycare?
Red flags include unlicensed operation, high staff turnover, poor communication, unsanitary conditions, excessive screen time, lack of outdoor play, or unwillingness to answer questions.
Can I visit multiple daycares before deciding?
Yes, you should visit multiple daycares to compare. Most centers offer tours during operating hours. Schedule visits when children are present to observe daily operations and interactions.
Platform Features
How does your daycare search work?
Our platform lets you search by location, filter by age groups and languages, view facilities on a map, and contact daycares directly. All listings include verified licensing information and contact details.
Can I book daycare tours through your platform?
Yes, many daycares allow tour booking directly through our platform. You can also contact facilities via phone or email to schedule visits and ask questions.
Do you show real-time availability?
We provide available spots information when daycares update their listings. For the most current availability, contact daycares directly as spaces can fill quickly.
How do I contact daycares directly?
Each daycare listing includes phone numbers, email addresses, and contact forms. You can reach out directly to schedule tours, ask questions, or submit applications.
Is your service free for parents?
Yes, our daycare search service is completely free for parents. We help connect families with licensed childcare providers across Ontario at no cost to families seeking care.
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