Children - Early Years and Child Care

Update January, 2024

In March 2022, The Province of Ontario entered into the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement with the Federal Government.  The agreement will provide accessible child care options and lower fees. This includes reducing fees to an average of $10 per day for children under the age of six in licensed child care by September 2025.

As of January 1, 2023 families in Muskoka have had child care fees reduced by at least 50% or pay a maximum fee of $12/day for families not in receipt of fee subsidy.  These reductions have saved families in Muskoka about $1.8 million in child care fees in 2023 alone. Further fee reductions have not yet been communicated by the Ministry of Education.

Other priorities under the CWELCC agreement include expanding access to licensed care and workforce development strategies to provide qualified staff to support the increase in spaces. The District of Muskoka is working with our partners in the early learning and child care sector to increase licensed spaces by 373 spaces by end of 2026. 

Details on the District of Muskoka’s Directed Growth Strategy can be found here: Directed Growth Strategy - District Municipality of Muskoka

Related Press Release: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/news/muskoka-taking-strides-to-increase-access-to-high-quality-affordable-child-care.aspx

Opportunities for licensed child care operators:

• The District is accepting applications from potential or new licensed child care programs to enroll in the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System
• The CWELCC Agreement will give families increased access to high-quality, inclusive and affordable child care.  However, the number of CWELCC funded spaces in Muskoka is part of the Province’s Directed Growth Strategy with set eligibility criteria for priority neighbourhoods and populations. (Please see link above)
• Operators who are not eligible for CWELCC funded spaces may still proceed to open spaces as per Ministry of Education processes.

All licensed child care programs are eligible for Wage Enhancement Grants as per the 2024 Ontario Child Care and EarlyON Child and Family Centre Guidelines.

Operators who wish to receive funding listed above must complete a Request for Service Agreement form, submit appropriate documentation and complete the Muskoka Early Learning Partnership process.

Additionally, if the program is enrolled in CWELCC, operators may be eligible for:

1. CWELCC operational funding
2. Start Up Grants

Please contact Colleen Manary, Manager, Early Learning and Child Care for more information.  colleen.manary@muskoka.on.ca

Are you a private home childcare provider?

In addition to being the service manager for the CWELCC program in Muskoka, the District also operates the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency, a network of home-based licensed child care providers.  There are many private providers who would be a welcome addition to the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency.    If you would like to make affordable child care available to your families and enjoy the benefits of joining the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency, visit our website and learn more.  

The District is developing a 5-Year Service Plan for the Early Learning and Child Care sector in Muskoka. This plan, required by the Ministry, will help us understand and address the needs of families, early learning professionals, and service providers over the next five years. 

Learn more about the project and how you can contribute feedback, by visiting the Early Learning and Child Care 5-Year Plan page.