Operating a Child Care Centre
Starting and Operating a Child Care Centre
If you are thinking of opening a new licensed child care program for children, or purchasing an existing program, you will require a Purchase of Service Agreement with Children’s Services. Contact the Children’s Services Program Supervisor akuipers@kawarthalakes.ca and the Ministry of Education directly about a license to operate.
If you are expanding your program to serve additional age groups or adding new sites contact the Children's Services Program Supervisor at akuipers@kawarthalakes.ca
All child care centres and home child care agencies are licensed by the Ministry under the Child Care and Early Years Act.
Purchase of Service Agreement
If you are opening a new program a Purchase of Service Agreement is required with Children’s Services to provide fee subsidy to eligible families enrolled at your centre. If you are a home child care provider interested in becoming part of the licensed home child care system, please contact one of agencies that serve the County of Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
- The Ministry of Education provides guidelines for the design and equipment of a child care centre.
A service agreement for Child Care Subsidy may be available to agencies that meet the following criteria:
- Are a non-profit or for-profit child care agency
- Have a current license issued by the Ministry of Education
- Complete and submit the required Application for Purchase of Service/Budget Package
- Have been in operation for a minimum of one year
- Agree to participate in the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC)
- Provide services to residents of the County of Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes
At this time there is a temporary suspension on all new Purchase and Service Agreements and program expansion with licensed child care program.
Ongoing Funding Opportunities
To be eligible for funding organizations need to have a license and a purchase of service agreement with the municipality.
Wage Enhancement Grant
The purpose of Wage Enhancement is to:
- Close the wage gap between RECE wages in the education sector and licensed child care sectors
- Provide an additional $2 per hour wage increase and 17.5% benefits to eligible positions
- Help retain Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs)
- Support access to stable, high-quality child care programs for children in Ontario
- Support greater employment and income security
- To support eligible child care professionals who work for a licensed child care centre or agency enrolled in CWELCC or exclusively serving children aged 6 to 12
Need Assistance?
Kawartha Lakes is responsible for investigating all complaints pertaining to the use of funding by contracted licensed Child Care Agencies. Complaints will be handled on a case by case basis. Further information on WEG/HCCEG or the application process should be directed to Anne Kuipers, Program Supervisor at 705-324-9870 extension 3254.
General Operating
General operating funding supports the costs of operating licensed child care programs in order to reduce wait times and fees for services, stabilize service levels and increase access to high quality affordable learning and child care services support compliance with licensing requirements, cover one-time repairs and maintenance costs and building transformation costs, and improve access to high-quality affordable early learning and child care services. for children and their families.
Small Water Works
Small Water Works (SWW) funding supports costs related to small water systems for licensed child care centres in rural communities. Child care centres that have historically received SWW funding will receive an allocation.
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
