Welcome to our new website

We’ve redesigned niagararegion.ca to make it easier to find what you need. We’re still putting on the finishing touches, so over the next few weeks you may notice:

  • Search is still learning. Some results may be incomplete or out of date. Try browsing by topic from the main menu.
  • Some links may not work. Old bookmarks and links may lead to pages that have moved.
  • Pages are still being updated. We’re reviewing content across the site and improving it as we go.

Parent handbook

This parent handbook information is specific to Niagara Region's directly operated child care centres and licensed home child care providers.

About our programs

We provide licensed child care in centres and approved home settings for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten and school-age children across Niagara. Our commitment is to provide safe, inclusive, high-quality early learning environments where your child feels a strong sense of belonging.

All of our programs operate under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, and are licensed and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Child care centre with a playground

Licensed child care centres

  • Care is provided in Niagara Region facilities
  • Operate Monday to Friday, typically 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system
  • Serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten and school-age children (varies by location)

View our child care locations

Home child care with provider and child

Licensed home child care

  • Care is provided in approved, contracted and licensed home child care locations
  • May offer flexible hours, including evenings, weekends or overnight care (depending on home child care provider availability)
  • Participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system
  • Operate under Niagara Region monitoring
  • Maintain legislated group size limits: up to six children under 13 and no more than three under two, including the provider's own children under four

School Aged Program at Port Colborne Regional Child Care Centre

Enrolment in the toddler or preschool program does not guarantee a space in the School Age Program when your child(ren) begins Junior Kindergraten. All families must ensure their child(ren) remain active on OneHSN and are registered on the waitlist for the School Age Program even after securing placement in the toddler or preschool program. Keeping your waitlist entry active ensures you maintain priority in accordance with the Waitlist Policy.

Due to the nature of the age group, the School Age Program typically has fewer vacancies, as children often remain enrolled until 12 years of age.

Priority placement for these days are given to those who attend the program on a regular schedule through out the school year. Email communication will be sent to families prior to these dates for enrolment.

It is up to the parent or guardian to secure transportation to and from the School Aged Program. Parents or guardians must arrange busing if required, to and from school and provide the schedule to the child care centre supervisor.    

Morning and afternoon snack are provided daily and recorded on a menu. On full day program days, lunch is provided and will be the same as the the child care centre menu. 

Outdoor active play will be provided each afternoon.

The school aged children will use classrooms that have been approved in licensing by the Ministry of Education which includes the school gym, computer room and library.

School aged children will be supervised at all times by a Registered Early Childhood Educator with the exception of school age washroom requests. The “buddy system” will be implemented where two children will be permitted in the washroom, when required, unsupervised by an adult, similar to the practice being followed during school hours.

Our team

Your child’s safety and well-being depend on qualified, caring professionals. All staff and home child care providers meet provincial licensing requirements.

Child care centre roles

Each Niagara Region child care centre has a supervisor who:

  • Oversees daily operations
  • Ensures compliance with legislation
  • Supports families and staff
  • Manages enrolment and staffing
  • Leads the implementation of the program statement

Supervisors are registered early childhood educators or Ministry-approved.

Registered early childhood educators:

  • Plan and implement play-based learning
  • Observe and document your child’s development
  • Support positive behaviour and self-regulation
  • Communicate regularly with families

All early childhood educators are registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators and their licensing must remain in good standing.

  • Prepare meals and snacks on-site

  • Maintain cleanliness of the centre
  • Perform minor repairs to equipment and facilities

  • Supports the five Regional child care centres in completing administrative duties

  • Must have a clear criminal reference check, (over the age of 18)
  • Must have up to date immunizations
  • Are never to be left alone with the children at any time and will be supervised by an employee

Refer to the Student and Volunteer Supervision Policy for Child Care Centres (PDF).

Home child care roles

Each home child care has a supervisor who:

  • Oversees daily operations
  • Ensures compliance with legislation
  • Supports families and staff
  • Leads the implementation of the program statement

Supervisors are registered early childhood educators or Ministry-approved.

Home child care providers:

  • Operate from approved, contracted licensed home locations
  • Are contracted with Niagara Region
  • Follow the the Child Care and Early Years Act
  • Implement the program statement

They are supported by a home child care advisor.

Home child care advisors:

  • Support the home child care provider
  • Conduct regular home visits
  • Review safety and compliance
  • Provide coaching and guidance

  • Supports with completing administrative duties
A checkmark inside a circle

Required training and screening

All staff, home child care providers, residents and any frequent visitors of the home, students and volunteers complete a vulnerable sector check and annual declaration.

Child care centres

Registered early childhood educators at Niagara Region’s child care centres are required to have the following training:

  • Standard first aid and infant / child CPR
  • Anaphylaxis and allergies
  • Fire safety and emergency procedures
  • Duty to report training

Home child care providers

Home child care providers are required to have:

  • Standard first aid and infant / child CPR
  • Anaphylaxis training if they have a child in their care that has an anaphylactic allergy

Home child care providers also have the option to take duty to report training.

Prohibited sign

Prohibited practices (legislated Child Care and Early Years Act)

This provision forbids corporal punishment and other harmful disciplinary practices to protect the emotional and physical well-being of children. These practices are never permitted in a child care centre or licensed home child care location.

Young children benefit from an affirming approach that encourages positive interactions with other children and with adults, rather than from a negative or punitive approach to managing unwanted behaviour.

The following shall not be permitted:

  • Corporal punishment of the child
  • Physical restraint of the child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else, and is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent
  • Locking the exits of the child care centre premises for the purpose of confining the child, or confining the child in an area or room without adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency and is required as part of the licensee’s emergency management policies and procedures
  • Use of harsh or degrading measures or threats or use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-respect, dignity or self-worth
  • Depriving the child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding
  • Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will
  • Sexual abuse, sexual misconduct or engaging in a prescribed sexual act, as those terms are defined in the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007

Inclusion Resource Service Model

Niagara Region’s Inclusion Resource Service Model:

  • Ensures that every child receives individualized support tailored to their unique needs
  • Provides tools and strategies to educators, parents, guardians and programs to enhance coordination, quality and inclusion
  • Uses a team-based approach that includes:
    • Inclusion and quality coordinators: Work directly in playrooms to build strong relationships with children, families, and educators
    • Community pedagogical advisors: Support inclusion and quality across programs
  • Strengthens partnerships and ensures that children thrive in inclusive, high-quality environments
  • If your child is identified as needing additional support you will be contacted about consent and service options

Refer to the parent information letter about the Inclusion Resource Service Model (PDF).

Program statement

All Niagara Region child care programs follow Ontario’s early years pedagogy: How Does Learning Happen? Our program is built on four foundations, and all staff and providers review the program statement annually.

We also support ongoing professional learning and keep up with legislative updates.

Foundations of learning and development

Three people standing next to each other

Belonging

Brain

Well-being

A speech bubble with lines indicating text

Engagement

Happy and sad emoticon faces

Expression

We believe children are competent, capable and curious — and that families are essential partners in their learning. Play is the foundation of our programs, which are child-directed and built around each child's interests. The program supports self-regulation, encourages exploration and inquiry, promotes positive interactions and supports children with diverse needs.

To support inclusion, we work with community partners, access special needs resourcing and collaborate with families.

 

Have a question?

Contact Children's Services