Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Guidelines

2025 Funding Model Updates (Virtual Session Resources)

Cost Based Funding Model Presentation - Centre Based(PDF, 650.43 KB)

Cost Based Funding Model Presentation - Licensed Home Child Care(PDF, 768.09 KB)

Cost Based Funding Model - Legacy Funding(PDF, 982.34 KB)

As part of CWELCC Implementation: Access and Inclusion Framework, the City of Hamilton will continue to engage with the Early Year's Community and enhance data collection to ensure child care expansion meets the needs of Hamilton families and licensed child care operators.

These guiding principles and foundational documents are embedded into all Children’s and Community Services:

• Hamilton Early Years Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Action Plan
• Hamilton Parent’s Charter of Rights
• How Does Learning Happen: Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years
• Hamilton’s Early Years Quality Program

Access and Inclusion Framework Documents

Child Care Directed Growth Applications will open on January 7 at 8:30 am.

As a part of the community-based spaces allocated to the City of Hamilton by Ontario’s Ministry of Education, applications for directed growth child care spaces are scheduled to open on January 7. 

The City of Hamilton is reviewing applications for community-based spaces for both 2025 and 2026. While city-wide applications are welcome, wards with access rates less than 37% will be prioritized to meet Ministry targets.

2024 Child Care Access Rates by Ward

NEW: Supporting documents required in 2025

For new site locations, submit one of the following: 

• Letter of Intent to Lease (LOI)* or “Offer to Lease”
• Lease Agreement
• Proof of Property Ownership
• Proof of Land or Building Purchase (Not for Profit Infrastructure Funding ONLY)

*Ensure the LOI is non-binding unless you're prepared to operate outside of CWELCC. In a lease scenario, the LOI or agreement should outline any landlord-provided improvements or allowances for renovations.

New: Directed Growth Infrastructure Funding

The City of Hamilton’s Directed Growth Infrastructure Funding includes two programs:

1. Start-Up Grant (existing)
2. Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Infrastructure Fund (effective March 31, 2025)

Both programs provide funding to support infrastructure projects that create new, licensed child care spaces, in line with the City of Hamilton’s Access and Inclusion Framework. The amount of funding you may receive depends on your eligibility and the available budget for each program.

Important notes:

• School-based child care programs are not eligible. These are handled through a separate process with the Board of Education. This includes child care offered during school hours for kindergarten and school-aged children.
• The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund is for not-for-profit licensed child care centres and is designed to complement the Start-Up Grant.
• This funding can be used for infrastructure-related costs, including:
  • Planning and design
  • Renovations or retrofits
  • Purchasing land or buildings (not-for-profits only)

Application requirements

To apply for Directed Growth Infrastructure Funding, please provide:

• A single document with estimates for materials and furnishings
• A single document with contractor quotes for renovations or retrofits
• Proof of land or building purchase (only required for not-for-profit applicants seeking infrastructure funding)

NOTE: Expressing interest or applying does not guarantee participation or enrollment in the CWELCC plan.

Directed Growth Application details and evaluation considerations

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The application window will remain open until all the community-based spaces have been approved for both 2025 and 2026 allocated spaces.

Evaluation timeline 

Depending on the interest and quantity of applications, evaluations will begin in February 2025 and will continue on an ongoing basis until all child care community-based spaces have been approved. Each applicant will be notified via email of their evaluation date. 

Space approvals will include childcare spaces for both the 2025 and 2026 program years. 

Evaluation criteria 

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:  

• Ward Location: City-wide applications are welcome but wards with access rates less than 37% will be prioritized.
• Physical Location: considerations are made for safe access, outdoor play space potential and parking availability. 
• Application alignment with the City of Hamilton’s CWELCC Access & Inclusion Framework(PDF, 490.54 KB).
• Ministry auspice ratios: Maintain an 80/20 ratio of “Not for Profit” to “For Profit” child care spaces.
• Financial Viability: Demonstrate long-term sustainability using the budget template.
  • Financial viability includes the ability to:
    • Cover operational costs and debts.
    • Maintain growth and adapt to challenges.
    • Meet customer expectations.

Meeting the above criteria will increase your application scoring and is based on the evaluation in the City of Hamilton’s CWELCC Access & Inclusion Framework(PDF, 490.54 KB).

Applications will be accepted until all community-based spaces have been approved.  Each applicant will be notified via email of their evaluation date.

Submit Complete Applications

Appeals Process

Licensees have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals must be made in writing via email to [email protected]. 

The City of Hamilton’s Director of Children’s and Community Services Division will review all appeals in a fair and equitable manner by following the guidelines and legislation determined by Ontario’s Ministry of Education, alongside the policies and practices determined by the City of Hamilton. Licensees will be notified of a decision on an appeal within 14 days business days. 

On August 15, 2024, the Province of Ontario announced the new Child Care Funding Approach for the CWELCC System, effective January 1, 2025. 

Funding previously allocated for staff serving children aged zero to five, such as the Workforce Compensation Funding, Provincial Wage Enhancement Grant, and General Operating Grant, has been reinvested into the new cost-based funding model. This supports a more flexible, single grant system for CWELCC age groups.

Under this model, the concept of separate funding allocations has been replaced by specific benchmark allocations that are integrated directly into the cost-based funding framework. As of 2025, there is no longer an application requirement in respect of staff serving children aged zero to five.

We are currently reviewing the guidelines to assess the potential impact these changes will have on our Hamilton Early Years Community. 

Updates will be provided as we work through the details.