Information on Child Care and the Early Years

Ontario is committed to building a high-quality, inclusive and affordable early years and child care system. Here are resources with information about how we are supporting positive learning environments for children.

Ontario's Renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework (2017)

Ontario's Renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework is our province's plan to transform Ontario's early years and child care system.

Spotlight on Success

Sharing best practices and new initiatives in the early years and child care sector across Ontario.

The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA)

Image of a child and child care specialist On August 31, 2015, the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) came into effect. This new legislation replaces the Day Nurseries Act.

“The New Child Care and Early Years Act: What Providers and Parents Need to Know”

Licensed operators are now required to have a program statement in line with How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years.

The first phase of regulations under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 came into effect on August 31st, 2015 carrying over many of the existing regulations under the previous legislation (i.e., the Day Nurseries Act)

On May 9, 2016, the Ministry of Education filed new and revised regulations under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and Education Act. The new rules will take effect at varying dates, starting July 1, 2016.

Find out how these new rules and regulations affect child care providers.

If you are looking for information about applying for a child care licence, visit the Child Care Licensing Resources page.

Child Care licensees now have access to the E-Module: Putting How Does Learning Happen? into Practice: Program Expectations for Licensed Child Care. This E-Module will assist early years professionals to understand connections between How Does Learning Happen? and the new program related requirements under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

Centres of Excellence for Early Years and Child Care

In 2018, the Ministry of Education will establish new Centres of Excellence for Early Years and Child Care to connect practitioners, education institutions, and service providers through innovative networks across the province. Learn more about the Centres of Excellence.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Beginning in January 2018, Ontario's four existing child and family programs will be united under the EarlyON brand. EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide opportunities for children from birth to 6 years of age to participate in play and inquiry-based programs, and support parents and caregivers in their roles.

Growing Together: Ontario's Early Years and Child Care Workforce Strategy

Growing Together: Ontario's Early Years and Child Care Workforce Strategy is our plan to build a stronger, more robust workforce by recruiting and retaining more educators in the early years and child care sector. (PDF, 2,71 MB)

Affordability and Workforce Studies

Early Years Accommodations in Schools

Ontario has chosen schools as priority locations for early years programs. To support early years programming in schools, the Ministry of Education set up a working group to provide advice on early years accommodation costs. The ministry and the working group have created a reference guide for school boards, CMSMs and DSSABS, and early years service providers. The guide contains information and guiding principles to help promote transparency, accessibility and efficiency when considering costs for early years service providers operating in schools.

Annual Reports

Previous Reports and Research

Child Care Providers

All Early Years Professionals