🍼 Ontario Parent's Daycare Checklist
Choosing the right daycare in Ontario can feel overwhelming. Waitlists are long, options vary, and every child has unique needs. To make the process easier, here's a simple guide and checklist to help you compare and choose confidently.
1. Types of Child Care in Ontario
Licensed Child Care Centres
Regulated by the Ministry of Education, inspected regularly.
Licensed Home Child Care
Smaller groups in a caregiver's home, overseen by an agency.
Unlicensed Home Child Care
Legal but not inspected; maximum of 5 unrelated children.
Begin by exploring local options with our in-house tool:
👉 Search Ontario Daycares on KiddoField
With our daycare finder, you can:
- Filter by neighbourhood and program type
- Find licensed centres and home daycares
- Compare based on your child's age group and needs
💡 Pro Tip: You can also check Ontario's Licensed Child Care Finder.
2. Costs & Support
💰 Average monthly fees in Ontario (2025):
Infant (0 - 18 months)
$1,200 - $2,200
Toddler (18 months - 30 months)
$1,000 - $1,800
Preschool (2.5 years - 4 years)
$800 - $1,500
Financial help:
$10-a-day CWELCC program
(not all centres participate)
Ontario Child Care Fee Subsidy
Apply early, even before a spot is confirmed
3. Questions to Ask on a Tour
Do you participate in the $10/day program?
What is your educator-to-child ratio?
How do staff support emotional needs and conflict resolution?
How often do children go outside?
What meals/snacks are provided?
How do you update parents daily?
What's your sick policy?
4. What to Look For
Warm, welcoming interactions between staff and children
Safe, clean, childproofed environment
Diverse toys, books, and activities
Outdoor play space
Qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs)
Clear policies (illness, late pick-up, emergencies)
5. Red Flags 🚩
Staff seem rushed or disengaged
Overcrowded classrooms
No outdoor playtime
Vague answers about safety, curriculum, or fees
High staff turnover
6. Printable Daycare Tour Checklist 📋
Before applying:
Search centres on Ontario Child Care Finder
Apply for subsidy (if eligible)
Budget monthly costs
On a daycare tour:
Confirm license & inspection history
Ask about CWELCC participation
Observe staff-child interactions
Review daily routines & activities
Check cleanliness & safety
Ask about nutrition & allergy policies
Review sick policy & late fees
After visiting:
Compare commute time & location
Rank centres based on cost, fit, and availability
Track waitlist dates & confirmations