Finding Childcare

Ask your friends, neighbours, parents of other children in your school, teachers, settlement workers, community agencies and ethnic organizations for advice regarding childcare centres. Look for notices in public libraries, schools, religious institutions, stores and newspapers. You can find childcare facilities in the telephone directory Yellow Pages, listed under “Daycare Centres and Nurseries”.

Look for a safe place, a fenced yard, supervision, toys and books, and comfortable facilities. Ask the childcare personnel if they are licensed. Ask about schedules, hours of operation, what to do if the child is sick, how children are disciplined, and how many children are registered in your child’s class. You should also ask about teachers’ qualifications, languages spoken, etc. Once you have decided which daycare in which to register your child, complete an application. If a childcare centre has no room for your child, ask to be placed on a waiting list.

For childcare facilities in your area, check the Community Profiles section.