Choosing Child Care

Choosing child care is an important process, and it may take some time to become familiar with your options. On this page, you will find details and resources related to different kinds of licensed child care, as well as on- and off-campus services that may be of interest.

If you are in search of tips and guidance, we encourage to stay tuned to our Family Care Office events page – as we occasionally host workshops centred on choosing the best child care for your family.

For a more thorough explanation of the types of child care available across the province, head to the Ontario website. Depending on your income and other factors, you might qualify for a subsidy. Learn more about child care subsidies.

Quick Links

Licensed Child Care

If you opt for licensed child care, ask each centre if it has opted in for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program. CWELCC is aimed at reducing child care fees significantly for parents, but not every child care center is participating in the program, so it is important to ask.

Licensed child care in Ontario is offered from infant to school age:

  • Infant: 0 to 18 months
  • Toddler: 18 months to 2.5 years
  • Preschool: 2.5 years to 3 years (until the September of the year the child turns 4)
  • Kindergarten: 4 to 5 years
  • School age: 6 years to 10 years

Child care in the City of Toronto (including Scarborough) is available in over 1000 licensed child care centres. To find child care located close to campus, your home or work, use the City of Toronto Child Care & Before-After School Program Locator.

Child care in Mississauga is licensed by Peel Region. To find child care in Mississauga use the Peel Region Child Locator.

If you are receiving subsidy, it is important to choose child care centres which provide subsidized spaces.

Individual child care providers offer child care out of their homes through a variety of licensed home child care agencies. In Toronto, the Licensed Home Child care Agencies listing includes whether they accept child care fee subsidy, their “general service areas”, and contact information.

On Campus Child Care at U of T

Across U of T’s campuses, child care centres are staffed by professionally qualitfied early childhood educators. Enrolment priority at these centres is given to U of T students, staff and faculty. However, you are not guaranteed a space and must also add your name to their waitlists by contacting them directly. For more information, visit our Child Care Centres page.

Kids & Company

U of T has a membership with Kids and Company. It is a corporate child care service providing full-time, part-time and backup care for faculty, staff and graduate students. For a list of all locations, to register, and fees information etc., please visit the Kids & Company website.

The Nanny Solution

The Nanny Solution connects families with experienced, thoroughly screened nannies, including full-time, part-time, temporary, overnight, and specialized childcare professionals tailored to your family’s needs. Contact the Family Care Office to learn about benefits available to eligible U of T families and for support navigating your child care options.

Unlicensed Child Care

Explore the Family Care Resource Centre for additional child care options.