Introduction   |
| In 1973, Children's Services was established as an important part of the Region of Waterloo’s government services and programs. The division is part of the Social Services Department, which provides a range of social, financial, and community-based services to residents of Waterloo Region.
Children’s Services provides a comprehensive range of early learning and child care programs through direct operation of children’s centres, an infant and child development program, and a home child care program. The Division administers the provincial Income Test to determine eligibility for financial assistance with child care costs. |
| On January 1, 2000, the Region assumed responsibility from the Province of Ontario for the management, funding, and planning of the local child care system. These responsibilities include management and/or funding of wage subsidy, pay equity, purchase of service program, special needs resourcing programs, and one time health and safety or minor capital funding. Children’s Services also provides leadership for the planning of the child care service system and produces an annual Child Care Service Plan. The plan documents principles that guide service planning, identifies future priorities and strategies, provides information from community consultations, child care related services, and reviews the demographic influences on the child care system. The Child Care Service Plan is the result of the expertise and commitment of many people across our region including the child care community, staff, and Regional Council. Community consultations, presentations, and written feedback have helped to create a service plan, which we believe reflects the local priorities for the development of a high quality system of early learning and child care.
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In addition, Children’s Services purchases child care spaces on behalf of subsidy eligible families in community-based child care centres and home child care programs across the Region. Standards for all child care services are established through the regulations of the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Day Nurseries Act. Click here for information on opening a child care centre. |
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