The Children's Services Division is the manager for child care in Stratford, St. Marys and Perth County. In partnership with the community, the Children's Services Division promotes fair and equal access to high quality care for children, and support to their families and caregivers.
Children's Services are planned, managed and provided in ways that promote early learning and development, and that respond to family needs and choices. We believe that integrated child care planning ensures public value and benefit to all.
The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) is supporting increased access to affordable and high-quality child care programs for families with children from age 0-5. CWELCC will reduce fees to an average of $10/day for these age groups by March 2026.
Currently, all licensed child care programs in Stratford, St. Marys, and Perth County are enrolled in the CWELCC System. As of January 1, 2025, if you have a child from age 0-5 enrolled in a licensed child care program, your fees are capped at a maximum of $22/day. If you are looking for a child care space, access the OneHSN Stratford Waitlist to get yourself on a waitlist for licensed child care.
The City of Stratford must maintain its ratio of 100% not-for-profit child care spaces enrolled in CWELCC. Child Care Operators interested in creating child care spaces to be enrolled in CWELCC must apply to the City of Stratford. Please contact Childrens Services Department for more information.
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The Children's Services Division provides financial assistance for licensed child care and recreation program costs. Parents eligible for child care fee subsidy may include those who are actively employed or enrolled in school, have children with special needs, or who may be facing emergency situations.
To find out more about Child Care Fee subsidy, please call 519-271-3773 ext. 6271 or 1-800-669-2948 ext. 6271.
You will be required to complete an application form, and meet with a member of our Children's Services Division staff to finalize your child care fee subsidy application.
The Children's Services Division supports families and early learning programs through the Children's Resource Consultant Program.
Resource Consultants are available to consult with staff and families about early learning supports and strategies for children with special needs. Funding is available for staff, training, and equipment or other learning resources for children with special needs. For more information about our Children's Resource Consultant Program click here
Referrals to the Children's Resource Consultant Program:
Please complete this Referral and Consent to the Children's Resource Consultant Program Form and email to Childrens Services Department.
The Children's Services Division provides professional learning opportunities to promote and enhance capacity to continue to provide high quality child care and early years programs. Representing the Stratford, St. Marys & Perth County, the Professional Learning Community provides accessible, valuable resources and learning opportunities for child care professionals. For more information about professional learning opportunities, see below.
Calendars
Current Flyers
Resources
EarlyON Stratford, St. Marys & Perth County is evolving, the same ways valuable emergent curriculum does for our children! Are you looking for meaningful and impactful programs for your growing family? How about programs that teach you and your children through play and inquiry based principles? EarlyON Stratford, St. Marys & Perth County has you covered! Our programs are open to all and are offered at no cost. In this welcoming environment, parents, caregivers and children share experiences, feel supported and engage in exploration and play.
EarlyON centres and satellite locations are accessible and open various hours throughout the day, evening and weekends. A variety of program spaces are available for your family to use at your convenience. Drop in and structured programs are offered for children ages birth to six years as well as community resources and information sessions for parents and caregivers.
EarlyON programs will help you and your children create lasting relationships and connections within the community, provide your children with the opportunity to create and explore, and provide you with parenting support for your family’s health and well-being. For more information please click here.