Keep in mind that a listing on this website is not a recommendation or a guarantee of quality in any program. You are urged to review How to Choose Child Care for additional information which will assist you in choosing a child care arrangement which meets your child's needs and your expectations.

You may also be interested in the following information:

Types of Care

Full Day: Care/programs are offered for full days, within the usual opening and closing hours, including lunch for each day of operation. With independent home-based child care, the provision of food is optional.
Part Time: Care/programs are offered for less than the maximum number of days the service is open. For example, a full day program that operates for five days per week may also offer care for two or three days per week.
Part Day: Care/programs are offered for less than a full day, that is for half or three-quarters of a day, and may be offered either in a morning or afternoon session.
Nursery School: Care/programs are offered on a half-day basis through a licensed group program, and may be offered either in a morning or afternoon session for typically 2.5 to 3 hours, however times may vary slightly. Some of these programs may be co-operative preschools (see next description).
Co-op Preschool: This is a nursery school program where, in order to keep costs down, an early childhood educator is employed by the co-op to develop and supervise the program. Parents (and other adults) participate in the program on a rotating basis to ensure that the regulations of the Day Nurseries Act for adult-child ratios are met.
Nursery School (Extended Hours): In a few instances some nursery school programs may offer a few hours care beyond the usual nursery school hours they normally provide.
Kindergarten Age Care: Care/programs are offered for kindergarten age children during the hours/days they are not attending school. This might involve part days or alternating full days depending on the kindergarten schedule. In some cases escorting children in the daily transitions between the child care and the school program can be provided. This might be within the school, if the child care is located there, or to and from schools in the local neighbourhood. Some child care centres offer a program for kindergarten age children on site.
Before School: Care/programs are offered for school age children before school begins for the day, and in some cases the program may escort to school(s) or even be located within a school. Most licensed before school group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although many programs are now offering before school care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
After School: Care/programs are offered for school age children after school ends for the day, and in some cases the program may escort from school(s) or even be located within a school. Most licensed after school group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although many programs are now offering after school care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
Summer School Age: Care/programs are offered for school age children during the summer months. Most licensed summer group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although some may offer summer care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
March Break: Care/programs are usually offered full day for March Break. Most licensed March Break group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although some may offer care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
Christmas Break: Care/programs are usually offered full day for Christmas Break, but statutory holidays are often excluded. Most licensed Christmas Break group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although some may offer care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
PA Days: Care/programs are usually offered full day for PA Days. Most licensed PA Day group programs are for children age 6 to 9 or 6 to 12 years of age, although some may offer care for kindergarten age children as well. In home-based care, however, the maximum ages may differ.
Extended Care: Care/programs are offered beyond the usual hours offered for a full day of care. For example, care may be offered during the evening and/or during early morning hours.
Shift Care: Care/programs could include days, afternoon/evening and night/overnight shifts. It might also include 10 or 12-hour shifts.
Weekend Care: Care/programs are offered for Saturdays and/or Sundays.

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Types of Centre Operators and Locations

Licensed centres can be operated by municipalities, indian bands and non profit organizations. They can also be operated as a business by individual owner/operators or corporations. Each centre record in our database indicates the operator of the program. This is the individual or organization that is legally responsible for the program under the Day Nurseries Act.

Centres can be located in a variety of sites: homes, elementary or secondary schools, recreation centres, churches, workplaces or other public or private buildings. Being located at a particular site does not necessarily indicate that the centre is affiliated with or operated by the organization which houses the program. The centre record in our database will indicate its affiliations.

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Other Information

Hours of Operation: This information indicates the opening and closing times for the program - the maximum range of hours in which care will be provided. Most centres are reasonably flexible with arrival and departure times within these designated hours. Parents should discuss their needs with staff to ensure that the hours of operation meet their requirements.
Minimum and Maximum Ages: The age range for which the centre is licensed is indicated in this section of the centre record. Age range information is also indicated in the map-based search pages. Since each centre is licensed to care for a specific number of children in each age group defined by the Day Nurseries Act, parents will need to identify whether an age appropriate space is available for their child.
Closure Dates: All licensed centres are closed for statutory holidays. Some centres close at other times during the year. These closure dates could include seasonal holidays and summer breaks. If a centre is closed at any time other than statutory holidays, this will be indicated.
Accessibility: If a centre has advised us that it is accessible to people with disabilities, this will be indicated. However, it is recommended that you contact the centre directly to ensure that its level of accessibility meets your needs.
Transportation: Some centres offer transportation to and from their location, usually for an additional fee. Transportation services are sometimes limited to a particular geographic area and may be restricted in the number of children who can be served.
Escort to School: Many programs which provide service to kindergarten and school-aged children will escort the children to and from the school. If the centre offers an escort service, this will be indicated in the centre's record.
Languages: If a centre operates a bilingual or French only program, this will be indicated. Other languages which are consistently available in the program are also indicated in this section.
Subsidy Contract: Families choosing licensed centre- or home-based care may be eligible for financial assistance with fees through the subsidy program of the City of Hamilton. However, the licensed program you choose must have a subsidy contract with the Region. Each centre's record will indicate whether it has a subsidy contract.

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