Types of child care
Parents can choose from licensed home-based child care, licensed centre-based child care or Informal (unlicensed) child care. Also find out about school age care.
Licensed child care
Licensed child care programs are offered in homes and in centres. These programs are licensed by the Ministry of Education and must meet specific provincial standards that provide for the health, safety and developmental needs of children.
Learn more about licensed home-based child care.
Learn more about licensed centre-based child care.
Search for licensed child care by:
- Location;
- Type of program (home-based or centre-based);
- Age-group; and
- Postal Code.
This provincial website also gives the results of inspections conducted by the Ministry of Education for any licensed child care home or centre.
Informal (unlicensed) care
Informal child care arrangements are made between the parents and a caregiver, such as a neighbour, relative or friend. Parents should be aware that informal caregivers are not regulated. This means they are neither licensed nor inspected. As a result, they are not required to meet provincial standards. It is up to parents to research, choose and monitor their child care arrangements. Child care subsidies are not available for informal care.
The Ministry of Education provides a Registry of Unlicensed Child Care Violations for reported violations. For example, a violation could be too many children in care or not following the approved ages in care.
Learn more about informal care by visiting the Child Care Providers Resource Network of Ottawa.
School age care
Learn about care for children attending elementary school such as before and after school hours, at lunch, during school breaks and on days when schools are closed. Many full-day kindergarten programs offer before- and after-school programs.
To get information on attendance boundaries, visit the school board websites:
Find the right child care
City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist – An online system that allows parents to apply for licensed centre-based or home-based child care; low income parents can also apply to the Waitlist for a child care subsidy fee. Find the list of providers that have opted in to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System.
Ministry of Education – Learn about child care choices in Ontario, how to find a child care provider, how to prepare your child for child care and much more.
Ontario Early Years Centres – Find a centre in Ottawa where children up to the age of six and their parents and caregivers can take part in programs and activities together.
School Boards – Ottawa-Carleton District School Board , Ottawa Catholic School Board , Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario , Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est.
Families attending the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for English as a Second Language, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada or Literacy and Basic Skills classes can get free-on-site child care .
Licensed Home Child Care Network of Ottawa – For people who may be interested in providing licensed home care, or for parents interested in finding licensed home care.
The New Child Care and Early Years Act “What Providers and Parents Need to Know” - Answers key questions about how the changes under the new Act will affect licensed and unlicensed child care providers in Ontario.
Municipal child care
The City of Ottawa operates ten Municipal child care centres which are licensed by the Ministry of Education under the Child Care and Early Years Act.
Licensing reports for all centre-based licensed child care programs are available on the provincial licensed child care finder.
Municipal child care centres
The City of Ottawa’s ten Municipal child care centres have opted-in to the new CWELCC System. All licensed child care providers must follow the updated provincial operational guidance. This document includes enhanced health and safety measures to ensure the safety of child care staff and children.
- 10 City-operated centres in a group setting for children 18 months to 5 years old
- Open Monday to Friday
- Services are available in English or French
- Qualified staff provide educational programs with indoor and outdoor activities
- Provide nutritious meals/snacks based on Healthy Eating and Active Living Guidelines from Ottawa Public Health
- Help may be available to pay for child care costs
List of Muncipal child care centres
Resources for parents
Quality indicators for early learning
Ministry of Education - Ontario's Pedagogy for Early Years - How does learning happen?
College of Early Childhood Educators
Child Care and Early Years Act 2014
Healthy living and parenting
Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa - committed to protecting the children and youth in our community from abuse and neglect
Ottawa Public Health - Provides public health programs and services to Ottawa individuals and communities while advocating for public policies that make our city and its residents healthier. Includes a wealth of programs and services like access to health and dental care; mental and emotional health; nutrition; sexual health; pregnancy and babies; and much more
Community Health and Resource Centres
Parachute - A national, charitable organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives
Individuals with disabilities
Ministry of Children and Youth Services - Provides parents with information about infant hearing programs, speech and language programs, infant development and more
Children’s Inclusive Support Services - Provides resources and funding so that children with disabilities enrolled in licensed programs may get the extra help they need
Other resources
Canadian Child Care Federation - A valuable resource for educators, service providers, parents, policy providers, media, business, government and community leaders; may also fit on operators page
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care - Advocate for universal, affordable, high quality, not-for-profit child care in Ontario
Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre - Serves Inuit children, youth and their children in partnership with parents and the community
Ottawa Neighbourhood Study - Provides detailed demographic information on Ottawa neighbourhoods and the people who live there
Canada Child Benefit – A tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age