Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System Application

Niagara Region has been allocated 4,067 licensed child care spaces to be established by 2026. To meet this target, we're working with community service providers to expand the number of licensed child care spaces in Niagara.

Approval process

  1. Two reviewers score and evaluate applications based on a weighted matrix
  2. Applications are prioritized based on objective scores
  3. Children's Services leadership reviews the applications
  4. If an expansion application is approved, eligibility for start-up grants is evaluated
  5. Once a final decision is made on funding allocations, an approval letter is sent to the applicant along with directions for next steps

Applications are reviewed in order of the date the completed application is received.

How we prioritize applications

Applications are evaluated based on a weighted scale that includes:

  • Location in a priority neighbourhood
  • Currently contracted as an operator with Niagara Region
  • Auspice
  • Flexible scheduling (non-traditional hours and / or part-time care)
  • Francophone or Indigenous programming or support
  • Approach to equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Policy and pedagogy to support developmental vulnerability
  • Policy and supports for children with special needs
  • Staff salaries
  • Staff recruitment and retention plan
  • Financial viability

How to apply

Applications for 2024 are open.

For-profit applications are being accepted. However, they will be waitlisted due to auspice ratio constraints.

Request an application

Video: Child care sector presentation

Learn more about the expansion and application process with a presentation from Children's Services.

More information

  • Grants

    The start-up grant application is part of the expansion application and must have expansion approval to be eligible.

    The maximum amount of the start-up grant is based on a ministry guideline of:

    • Up to $90 per square foot of a new licensed child care space; with a
    • Maximum amount of $350,000 per 50 new child care spaces

    Existing operators that have a service agreement with Niagara Region will be flowed funding based on approved milestones.

    New operators will be given an approved amount of funding based on their submission. Funding will be flowed in a lump sum after they receive their licence and sign a service agreement.

    Home-based child care

    Home-based child care that been open since January 2023 is eligible for start-up grant funding for play-based materials.

    The funding will be flowed through the agency, and they will be responsible for administering it and reconciling to the Region. If the home closes before March 31, 2026, they must pay back the funding.

    Wage Enhancement Grant

    The Wage Enhancement Grant is only available to licensees that are contracted with Niagara Region.

    To participate in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program, new licensees must participate in the Wage Enhancement Grant program.

  • Number of child care site(s) and applications

    There is no limit to the number of sites a licensee can apply to open, provided they fall within the expansion space allotment.

    Do not submit an application without a confirmed site. There are spaces allotted for each year until 2026.

    Any application submitted for a new child care site must be completed within two years of the application date.

    Niagara Region staff will be made aware when a new site becomes available. We also recommend that you reach out to your local municipalities, Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. These are great resources within the community to learn about available sites.

    Home-based child care

    Homes within the existing licence can be created wherever the need lies.  If the agency is expanding their license, the new homes will need to align with the priority neighbourhoods.

  • Priority neighbourhoods

    Expansion spaces are not allotted by priority neighbourhood; they are total for Niagara. We do have the ability to borrow spaces from future years, if needed.

    It is not the intent of the ministry or the Region to only approve partial applications for Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care expansion and leave single rooms ineligible due to expansion space restrictions.

    Each priority neighbourhood is weighted equally. We will also consider a buffer zone surrounding the priority neighbourhoods depending on demand.

    Once initial applications are approved, we will update expansion spaces allotted per zone to help inform licensees of where the need for expansion is being met.

    Priority neighbourhoods may shift based on new and updated data and / or more new spaces achieve an access rate of one eligible space for every three child care spaces.

  • Child care rates

    New licensees

    A new licensee is only able to charge the prescribed fee as listed in the Child Care and Early Years Act for Niagara. The ministry is reviewing a new funding formula for 2024 that may change the way funding is provided in future years.

    New site under a corporation

    Under the Child Care and Early Years Act, a licensee may only charge the base rate as established under their Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement. Capped Regional rates cannot be used.

  • Auspice ratio

    Under Ministry guidelines, Niagara Region must maintain an 80/20 ratio within the region as a whole, not by individual municipality.

    While the agency's auspice is a part of our scoring matrix, the need in the community for child care spaces could reflect a higher priority.

    By 2026, our profit / non-profit ratio must remain close to what it was before expansion.

  • Changes to milestones or child care program

    All milestones will be pre-approved on your approval letter. Any changes to the scope or timeline of these milestones must be approved by Niagara Region.

    If you discover that the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system is not a good fit for your program, you can opt-out at any time. If the program received start-up funding and withdraws from the program before March 31, 2026, all funds must be returned in full to Niagara Region.

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