Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement

NEW August 29, 2022: The Ministry of Education released a new CWELCC addendum and Q&A on August 17, 2022.  Children’s and Community Services Divisional (CCSD) staff have been working on updating all required documentation and plans to adjust to the new CWELCC addendum. 

We continue to take a phased approach to implementing the CWELCC system in Hamilton. This phased approach means that licensees may be opting-in at different times from now until November 1, 2022. We will be in contact with all licensees as we work through each phase of implementation.

The Ontario Ministry of Education’s goals under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement are similar to the priorities for the Early Years System in Hamilton — affordability, accessibility, inclusion and quality.

All licensees with a funding agreement will be signing an updated funding agreement(PDF, 303.8 KB) along with the CWELCC schedule(PDF, 267.84 KB) .

The City of Hamilton CWELCC Interim Guidelines(PDF, 235.42 KB) will continue to evolve as we work through the CWELCC implementation. Interim guidelines will be updated and shared with licensees as required.

The Ontario Ministry of Education’s goals under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement are similar to the priorities for the Early Years System in Hamilton — affordability, accessibility, inclusion and quality.

Updates regarding the application status of licensed child care operators participating in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system in Hamilton is now available, visit Financial Support for Child Care.

Timeline

• July to November 1, 2022 - Opt into Funding Agreement
• November 1, 2022 - Application Deadline
• September to December 2022 - Fee Reduction funding issued to licensed child care providers 
• September to December 2022 - Licensed child care providers issue rebates to families 
• October to December 2022 - Workforce compensation issued to licensed child care providers to be distributed to eligible child care staff 

Frequently Asked Questions

For further details regarding this process, child care licensees are encouraged to read the Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 249.02 KB). Don’t see your question? Feel free to contact us at [email protected].