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Childcare centres offer care for children while their parents work or study.
There are different types of childcare available in Ontario:
Licensed childcare centre
Licensed home childcare
Before-school and after-school care
Unlicensed care
To learn more about the different types of childcare and how they are regulated, or to search for licensed childcare for your children, visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website
The City of Hamilton offers financial support for childcare to assist low-income families with their childcare expenses
To look for licensed centre-based or home-based childcare in Hamilton, visit the Hamilton Child Care Registry
There are long waitlists for childcare spots in Hamilton.
Licensed child care centre for children ages 9 and younger. Full-time, part-time, and after school care is available.
Offers a bilingual Montessori program from September to June and a summer program from July to August. Care is available full time or half-day. Hot lunches are provided.
Licensed child care centre in Ancaster, providing child care for children 18 months to 4 years old. Extended care is available to families interested in providing their child with an opportunity to adjust to longer school days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a catered hot meal provided at lunch time.
A non-profit, parent run, co-operative nursery school for children 2 through 5 years old. Children may enroll for 1 to 4 sessions per week and may join the program at any time during the school year, space permitting. Resource services available for children with special needs.
Offers full and part time preschool and child care for toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children.
Offers licensed child care before and after school for children in Junior Kindergarten to age 12. Full time care may be available on PA Days, school breaks, and during the summer.
Provides licensed full-time child care for children ages 0 to 12. Limited part-time care and extended care may be available.
Licensed child care centre offering full day child care for children ages 8 weeks to 6 years. This program participates in Hamilton’s Early Years Quality Program.
Licensed child care centre for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children in Ancaster. Incorporates teaching methods from Baby Signs, Montessori, and High Scope.
Licensed child care centre offering full day care for toddlers (ages 18 months to 3 years) and pre-school children (ages 3 to 6 years). Also offers a summer camp program. Snacks and lunches are provided and are catered through WholesomeKids Catering.
Licensed child care centre offering care for children ages 18 months to 6 years.
Licensed child care centre offering care for toddlers (ages 18 to 30 months) and pre-school children (ages 2.5 to 5 years). Lunch and a morning and afternoon snack are provided.
A co-operative preschool in Dundas that offers care for children ages 2 to 5 years. Parents/guardians are responsible for decisions about aspects of the school, and participate in various duties.
Offers child care for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Hot lunch and morning and afternoon snack are provided
Licensed child care centre offering care to children ages 18 months to 5 years.
A licensed child care centre that offers care programs for children ages 18 months to 5 years. All programs are play-based learning with a balance between structured and free choice activities. Children are introduced to social learning, emotional growth, as well as self-reliance and responsibility. Families share in the privileges and responsibilities of the school’s operations.
Provides financial assistance for eligible families requiring child care.
Depending on circumstances, applicants may be put on existing waiting list. Wait times will vary according to a family's priority for service and the available funding.
Licensed child care centre offering care to children ages 6 and younger. Meals and snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering full day French-language care for children ages 18 months to 4 years, as well as before and after school care for children up to grade 6.
A French-language child care centre offering care for children ages 10 months to 4 years, and before and after school care for children in kindergarten through grade 6.
Licensed child care centre offering full day child care in Hamilton for 16 months to 5 years. Morning and afternoon snack and hot lunch are provided.
Licensed child care centre that provides child care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; ages 10 months to 5 years. Focuses on education through the Reggio approach. Snacks and meals are provided.
Licensed child care centres that offers Early Childhood Education in a child care setting, providing care to toddlers (ages 18-31 months) and preschoolers (ages 2.5-5 years). This program participates in Hamilton’s Early Years Quality Program.
Catholic full day child care programs in Hamilton Catholic Schools. Care is available for infants (0-18 months), toddlers (18 months-2.5 years) and preschool (2.5-3.8 years). Morning and afternoon snacks and lunch are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering care to children ages 4-12 before and after school hours. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering care to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Morning and afternoon snacks and a daily lunch are provided.
A Montessori-based preschool educational and child care program. Children will have the opportunity to participate in organized group activities as well as independent exploration time. Half day or full day available with varying drop off and pick up times. Two snacks and a full lunch are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering full day child care for toddlers (18 months-2.5 years) and preschoolers (2.5-5 years).
Licensed child care centre in Waterdown. Offers before and after school care for children ages 4 to 12.
Licensed child care offering full day care for children ages 18 months to 4 years.
Licensed child care centre offering care for children ages 18 months to 4 years.
Licensed child care centre offering full day care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
Licensed child care centre offering care for infants, toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten children. Full-time and part-time programs are available. Lunches and snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering full-time, part-time, and before and after school care to children ages 2 to 12. A dual French/English program is offered twice per week and Signed English is offered every day. Hours vary by age group and program, contact for specific schedules.
Licensed child care centre offering care to children ages 16 months to 4 years. Daily lunch and snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centres offering full day child care programs for infants (ages 6 to 18 months), toddlers (ages 18-30 months), and preschool children (ages 2.5 to 4 years). Flexible schedule options and pay-as-you go fees are available.
Program offerings vary by site, contact specific site for details.
This is a licensed child care program where children learn through play, and parents take an active role in their child's education. Offers programs for 2 year olds (2 mornings per week) and 3 year olds (3 mornings per week) which include arts and crafts and gym time, as well as a snack.
Licensed child care centre offering Christian faith-based care for children ages 12 months to 4 years.
Licensed child care centre offering care for children ages 12 months to 5 years old.
Licensed child care centre in Hamilton offering care to children ages 18 months to 6 years.
A bilingual CCMA-accredited Montessori school, providing programs for Toddlers (18 months to 3 years), Casa (2.5 years to 6 years), and Elementary (6 to 12 years). Organic snacks provided.
This is a licensed child care centre offering care for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
Licensed child care centre in Ancaster. Offers care to children ages 1 to 6 years in three different programs: Infant (12-16 months), Toddler (16-18 months), Preschool (18 months-6 years old).
Licensed child care centres in Millgrove offering care for children ages 12 and younger. Age requirements for programs vary by location, contact for details.
An integrated and non-profit school for children ages 2.5 to 4 years. Parents and caregivers act as volunteers in the classroom. Flexible scheduling allows for 2, 3, or 5 day programs.
Licensed child care centre offering programs for toddlers (ages 14-31 months) and preschool aged children (ages 31 months-4 years). Part-time and full-time care available. A daily breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snack are provided.
Licensed child care centre in Binbrook offering care to children ages 14 months to 12 years.
Provides an early learning environment that follows Indigenous teachings and knowledge that support the growth and development of children and families. Provides meals, land based literacy program, and an outdoor learning environment. Full or part time care available. Licensed by the Ministry of Education.
Branch of the Ontario Ministry of education that licences and inspects all Ontario child care programs.
Other services include:
Licensed child care centre offering care for children ages 5 and younger. Features organic menu, naturalized playground, and security entry access and video surveillance.
Licensed child care centre, offering care for toddlers (18 months-2.5 years), pre-school (2.5-4 years), and before and after school for school-age children (4-12 years) including P.A. Days and March Break.
A child care program for children ages 1 to 4. Parents or caregivers attend with their children to provide a transition between home and kindergarten.
Licensed child care centre offering full day care for infants (6 weeks-18 months), toddlers (1.5-2.5 years), junior preschool (2.5-3.5 years), and preschool (2.5-6 years). Daily lunch and snacks are provided.
A licensed child care centre for toddlers and pre-school age children. The parents operate the school in partnership with certified Early Childhood Educators and Program Assistants, and are given the option of taking a non-participating or participating role in the classroom.
A licensed child care centre for families who want to take an active part in the early years of their child’s education. Offers 2 day or 3 day programs in a small-class setting. Activities include arts and crafts, scientific investigation, and educational field trips. Modifications and accommodations are available for children with special needs.
Christian child care centre offering care for children ages 3 months to 12 years of age. A hot lunch and two snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centre in Waterdown offering care to children ages 3 months to 12 years.
Licensed child care centre offering full day child care to toddlers (ages 18-30 months) and preschool children (ages 30 months to 5 years). Program is based on the Ministry of Education's "How Does Learning Happen?" which encourages play-based, hands-on learning. Morning and afternoon snacks and a lunch are provided.
Licensed child care centre on the Hamilton escarpment offering care for toddlers and preschool-aged children. Meals are provided and include produce from the on-site garden.
Licensed child care centre in Waterdown offering care for children ages 6 months to 6 years.
A preschool offering a variety of programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten age children, including sound and letter recognition, reading and writing skills, and science and math concepts.
A licensed child care centre providing full time or part time daycare to children 2.5-5 years of age, as well as a before and after school program for school-aged children up to age 12. Full day care is also available on school P.A. Days, as well as March break, winter break, and throughout the summer.
Licensed child care centre offering in-school extended child care before and after school and on school breaks. Full-time and part-time care available.
Licensed child care centre for children from birth to school entry age. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided.
Licensed child care centre offering programs for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. Daily lunch and snacks are provided.
A parent co-operative licensed preschool for children ages 2 years to 5 years. Flexible enrolment options are available, including one day a week to five days a week. Also offers an extended day program which includes more full-day school preparation for any child who is entering the school system the next year.
Licensed child care centre in Stoney Creek for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Full-time and part-time care available, with a minimum of 2 days per week. All programs are delivered with a Christian faith focus.
Licensed child care centre for children ages 6 years and younger. Daily lunch and snacks are provided.
Licensed child care centre in Hamilton with a Christian faith focus and a weekly Bible circle. Full-time and part-time (minimum 2 days) care is available for toddlers (1.5-2.5 years) and preschool (2.5-5 years), as well as before and after school care and PA days/school holidays for kindergarten-grade 6.
Licensed child care centre offering full and part time care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Also provides before and after school care for kindergarten and school-aged children, as well as care on PA days and holidays.
Licensed child care centres offering care for children ages 14 months to 6 years. Extended care available for children in Junior and Senior Kindergarten.
Licensed child care centres, providing full-day care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The programs provide learning centres and group activities. Early Childhood Educators guide the children using positive learning techniques.
Licensed child care centres, providing full-day care for infants (0-18 months), toddlers (1.5-2.5 years), and preschool-aged children (2.5-3.5 years). Children participate in both indoor and outdoor activities, weather permitting. Morning and afternoon snacks and lunch are provided.
Licensed child care centre in Waterdown offering care to children ages 3 months to 5 years.
Licensed child care centre in Ancaster offering care for children ages 15 months to 5 years.
Licensed child care centre offering full day care for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Operates out of a separate and secure facility attached to the Waterdown District High School.
A licensed child care program, providing extended child care for school-age children. Includes homework help and indoor and outdoor physical activity. Modified program available for children with special needs. PA day and school holiday care is also available.
Offers licensed child care before and after school for school-age children up to age 12. Care on non-school days (PA days, school breaks) may not be available at all locations.
Licensed child care centre offering care to children from infants to preschool-aged.
A licensed child care program in Westdale for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Full time and part time care is available. Daily snack is included. Follows a co-op model which means that parents are responsible for all operations apart from the Early Educator Staff.
Licensed child care centre in Winona offering care for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Full time and part time care available. Daily snacks and lunches are provided.
A licensed child care program providing early learning opportunities for children from infant to 4 years. Operates with the YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum. Includes a variety of scheduled and unscheduled activities. Part-time and full-time care available.
Licensed child care program for children in Junior Kindergarten to 12 years of age. Provides children with various activities right at their own school. Enrollment options include full time (5 days per week) or part time (minimum 2 days per week), before and/or after school.
Offers Ministry of Education-licensed child care for toddlers (18-30 months) and preschoolers (2.5 years up to school entry.) Lunch and healthy snacks provided.