Find Quality Child Care and Early Learning
Apply for Licensed Child Care
OneList Waterloo Region is where you apply online for all licensed care in Waterloo Region, including licensed centre-based care and licensed home-based care.
Once your child(ren) are on a waitlist for a program, contact the program to ask questions and set up a tour. If you tour the program, look for a decal that shows it is licensed. Their licensing documents will also tell you things like how many children they can care for and the results of the Ministry's most recent licensing visit.
For information about Before and After School (Extended Day) Programs operated by the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), visit their website:
Learn about your options and quality child care
As a parent, you want the best for your child. Licensed high quality child care and early learning programs support safe and healthy growth and development.
Learn more about what quality child care looks like, visit the Parent Guide to Licensed Care to learn about child care options, or download answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
What Does Quality Child Care Look Like? Parent Guide to Licensed Quality Child Care in Waterloo Region Frequently Asked Questions about Onelist - Licensed Centre-based (PDF)
Need Help Applying?
If you need help applying for child care on OneList or for Child Care Subsidy, you can reach out to the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Navigators through the YMCA at 519-741-8585 extension 3008 or visit the YMCA of Three Rivers - ELCC Navigators website.
Quality Improvement
Continuous learning and growth is important for children and for early years partners. Each year all Licensed Child Care programs follow a continuous quality improvement cycle called Early Years Engage. The annual process gathers information to identify areas that are working well and areas that need improvement.
The Region of Waterloo offers supports and resources to all early years partners, including licensed child care centres, licensed home child care agencies, special needs resourcing agencies and EarlyON child and family centres.
