Licensed Child Care

The District Municipality of Muskoka is responsible for Muskoka's Child Care system. We also have programs, subsidies and information for parents and child care providers.

In addition to Licensed Child Care Centres, there are options for licensed home based child care through the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency.

We also ensure the same quality of care is available at all licensed child care facilities through our Quality Improvement program.

Licensed child care providers located in Muskoka are noted below.  For information about licensed child care providers, please contact the provider directly. Please also note that:

• Each provider sets their own rates.
• All providers are required to  participate in our Quality Improvement program.
• Families who are eligible for fee subsidy are welcome at all child care centres as space permits.

Muskoka Early Learning Partnership

As a parent, you want to choose the kind of care that will help your child learn and grow. You want your child to be safe and happy. The District's Quality Improvement Program is mandatory for all licensed child care programs who have a service agreement with the District. Our program monitors and measures quality in Muskoka's child care programs, and encourages continuous improvement, so your family can count on the care you are choosing is excellent.

Program Update (Jan 2024) 

In late 2023, The District of Muskoka Collaborated with educators from licensed child care programs to develop a new model for Quality Improvement, now named Muskoka Early Learning Partnership (MELP).     

The goal of the program is to enhance, document, and scaffold children’s learning to create a fulsome, caring environment that fosters the whole child.  The MELP is designed to engage all staff working in licensed child care in meaningful conversations and reflection and to support their professional journey. Educators in Muskoka are offered continuous professional learning through a variety of ways such as online and in-person workshops and regular on-site consultations.

The District of Muskoka’s MELP team works together with child care educator teams, EarlyON Educators, Licensed Home Child Care Providers, and Supervisors to support quality early learning environments for children and families. They help educators set goals, offer support, and strengthen children’s learning to enhance opportunities for early learning and development. The MELP team’s role is to mentor, collaborate and support reflective practice, to help programs achieve and maintain quality programming for children across Muskoka.

If you have questions relating to the Muskoka Early Learning Partnership, please contact Colleen Manary, Manager, Early Learning and Child Care, colleen.manary@muskoka.on.ca.