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 Some results may be incomplete or out of date.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.
Children on a playground

Corporate Asset Management Plan

2025

Niagara Region owns and maintains $12.1 billion in infrastructure — from water pipes and roads to long-term care homes and transit buses. This plan sets out the condition of those assets and what it takes to keep them working.

$12.1B

replacement value of Regional infrastructure

71%

of assets rated fair, good or very good condition

16

service areas covered by the plan, from water to police services

Niagara Region is responsible for a huge range of public infrastructure: water and wastewater systems, roads and bridges, transit vehicles, long-term care homes, community housing, paramedic stations and more. The Corporate Asset Management Plan is our roadmap for maintaining all of it in a state of good repair.

The plan is required under Ontario Regulation 588/17, which sets out how municipalities must plan, fund and report on their infrastructure. It's updated regularly — the current version, approved in June 2025, reflects asset data as of the end of 2023.

Every five years, Niagara Region takes a close look at what it owns, what condition it's in, and what it will cost to keep services reliable as Niagara continues to grow.

Why this matters

Without a long-term plan for maintaining and replacing these assets, service gaps and emergency repairs become more costly over time. Asset management means making smarter, evidence-based decisions about when and how to invest in infrastructure, so services stay reliable and tax dollars go further.

group of kids in daycare

How our assets are holding up

State of our infrastructure

Niagara Region rates the condition of its infrastructure on a scale from very good to very poor, based on inspections, engineering assessments and asset age.

What the ratings mean

Very good / good: the asset is performing as intended and maintenance costs are within normal range — typically a newer or recently rehabilitated asset.
Fair: the asset is showing signs of wear and some components may need replacing soon; maintenance costs are rising.
Poor / very poor: the asset is significantly deteriorated, at higher risk of failure, and maintenance is no longer cost-effective — replacement or major rehabilitation is needed.
Family two parents and 3 children at home

How this plan was built

The Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan is Niagara Region's five-year plan for investing in early learning and child care programs for children aged 0 to 12. It was developed under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and approved by Regional Council in spring 2025.

Niagara Region directly operates child care centres and a licensed home child care agency, and provides oversight and funding to hundreds of additional providers across all 12 area municipalities.

As Niagara grows and becomes more diverse, this plan ensures early years programs keep pace — meeting families where they are, in a way that's inclusive, affordable and high-quality.

Over 3,300 people shaped this plan, including parents, caregivers, child care staff, community partners and children themselves.

Satisfaction with programs

What families told us

Based on survey responses from parents and caregivers across Niagara.

94%

of parents satisfied with licensed child care centres

90%

of parents satisfied with licensed home child care

92%

of parents satisfied with EarlyON programming

Types of early years and child care programs

What's available

Niagara Region funds, oversees and directly operates a range of programs for children from birth to age 12.

Child care centre with a playground

Licensed child care centres

Centre-based care for children aged 0–12, offered by not-for-profit and for-profit operators in schools, community hubs and standalone buildings. Niagara Region directly operates five child care centres.

193 centres • 13,750 licensed spaces

Home child care with provider and child

Licensed home child care

Care for children aged 0–12 provided in a caregiver's private home. Located within the neighbourhoods where families live and work, and may offer extended hours including evenings and weekends.

141 homes • 856 spaces

Adult and child stacking blocks together

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Free in-person and virtual programs for children aged 0–6 and their parents or caregivers. Families can play, connect, access resources and get support with no cost and no registration required.

21 locations • free for all families

Hand holding money

Child care fee subsidy

Financial assistance to help eligible families pay for licensed child care so they can attend school or go to work. The amount of support depends on household income and the cost of care.

2,587 children supported in 2023

Hand holding a heart

Special needs resourcing

Support for children with special or differing needs to fully participate in licensed child care or EarlyON programs. Resource and behaviour consultants work alongside educators, and transition-to-kindergarten support is available.

1,021 children supported in 2023

Building blocks with the letters ABC

Indigenous and Francophone programs

Niagara Region supports two Indigenous-led EarlyON programs — Tshikeksa' EarlyON (Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre) and Odrohyagweh EarlyON (Niagara Regional Native Centre) — as well as Francophone child care spaces across the region.

2 Indigenous EarlyON sites • 2,320 French language spaces

Five pillars

What guides the plan

Every goal and action in this plan ties back to one of five pillars, built through research and shaped by what families and the sector told us.

Three people standing next to each other

Customer-centered

Pillar 1

Goal

Families and children in Niagara are aware of the programs and services available to them.

  • Make it easier for families to find and access information about programs
  • Create regular opportunities for families to share feedback
An award medal with a ribbon

High-quality

Pillar 2

Goal

The early years and child care sector is supported in delivering programs that promote healthy child development.

  • Set clear expectations for what quality looks like across the system
  • Support recruitment and retention of qualified educators
  • Advocate for stronger wages and professional development
A speech bubble with lines indicating text

Accessible and responsive

Pillar 3

Goal

Programs reach families where they are, when they need them, in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

  • Expand programs to priority neighbourhoods where need is greatest
  • Explore flexible hours including evenings and weekends
  • Ensure all children, including those with special needs, can access programming
Combined bar and line graph

Affordable and growth focused

Pillar 4

Goal

Programs are affordable for families and support workforce participation and economic growth.

  • Expand fee subsidy access and promote EarlyON as a free option
  • Continue growing licensed child care spaces across Niagara
  • Partner with businesses and municipalities to build child care into economic planning
Three people sitting at a table in a meeting

Community-driven

Pillar 5

Goal

Niagara Region works with community partners to deliver integrated, connected services for children and families.

  • Deepen partnerships with public health, school boards and community agencies
  • Strengthen relationships with Indigenous and Francophone partners
  • Reach families who are newcomers, marginalized or have diverse needs
Children in daycare

Learn more about the plan

Annual progress updates will be shared as the plan is implemented.

Download the Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan (PDF)