Early Years and Child Care Services

Financial Support for Child Care

City of Hamilton is currently in the GREY – LOCKDOWN within the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework. As a result, all indoor and outdoor EarlyON Child and Family Centres are currently closed. Virtual programs continue to operate.

As part of the current Provincial shutdown measures, remote learning has been extended for school-aged elementary school students from January 11 to February 10, 2021 in Southern Ontario. As a result, the Ministry of Education and the City of Hamilton is providing targeted emergency child care for the children of designated essential workers during this period.

During this period, emergency child care services will be available for designated essential workers as defined by the Provincial eligibility requirements, who are not able to accommodate their school-aged child’s learning or care at home.

Free emergency child care is only available to school age children. Emergency child care is being provided by the three licensed home child care agencies in Hamilton. For more information on accessing this care, please contact one of these agencies:

  • An individual who is,
    • a regulated health professional, or
    • an unregulated health care provider working in health care delivery, either directly or indirectly.
  • A police officer as defined in the Police Services Act.
  • A special constable appointed pursuant to section 53 of the Police Services Act.
  • A member of a police force other than a police officer as defined in the Police Services Act.
  • A First Nations Constable appointed pursuant to section 54 of the Police Services Act or a member of a police service in which policing is delivered by First Nations Constables.
  • A provincial offences officer as defined in the Provincial Offences Act.
  • An individual employed as a firefighter as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.
  • An individual who is,
    • engaged in providing fire protection services as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997,
    • employed in a fire department as defined in the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, or
    • employed in the Office of the Fire Marshal and whose duties include being a fire investigator or supervising or managing fire investigators.
  • A paramedic as defined in the Ambulance Act.
  • A coroner as defined in the Coroners Act.
  • A worker in a correctional institution as defined in the Ministry of Correctional Services Act or an independent contractor who supplies services to correctional institutions, including, but not limited to, employees of Trilcor.
  • Probation and parole officers as described in the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, including institutional liaison officers, court liaison officers, individuals employed as assistant area managers and area managers of staff at probation and parole offices and the administrative and support staff at these offices.
  • An individual employed in the Institutional Services Division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General, including a person employed in a correctional institution as defined in section 1 of the Ministry of Correctional Services Act.
  • An individual employed in the Operational Support Division of the Correctional Services Recruitment and Training Centre in the Ministry of the Solicitor General who,
    • provides facilities or maintenance services, or
    • is a Senior Staff Development Officer or Manager of Customized Training.
  • An employee of Compass Group Canada Ltd. who works at or provides services in relation to the Cook Chill Food Production Centre.
  • An individual employed in the Ministry of the Solicitor General who performs one or more of the following functions for the Institutional Services Division or Community Services Division:
    • Performing electronic monitoring services.
    • Performing CPIC searches.
    • Preparing community supervision orders.
  • An individual employed in the Ministry of the Solicitor General at the Centre for Forensic Sciences who is involved in supporting and conducting forensic testing and analysis.
  • An individual employed in the Ministry of the Solicitor General at the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit.
  • An individual employed in the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre or at the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s Emergency Operations Centre.
  • An animal welfare inspector appointed pursuant to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 or an individual employed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General in the Animal Welfare Services Branch who is directly involved in supporting animal welfare inspectors.
  • An individual employed in the operation of,
    • a place of secure custody designated under section 24.1 of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), whether in accordance with section 88 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or otherwise, or
    • a place of secure temporary detention as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
  • Persons employed in the Direct Operated Facilities Branch of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
  • An individual who performs work that is essential to the delivery of core services in a municipality or First Nation community, as determined by the municipality or First Nation.
  • An individual who performs work of a critical nature in their service area or community, as determined by the Minister of Education or his delegate in consultation with the relevant service system manager or First Nation as those terms are defined under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
  • An individual who works in a child care centre or who otherwise provides child care in accordance with the requirements in this Order.
  • A member of the Canadian Armed Forces or an employee of the Department of National Defence.
  • All persons employed in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry who are engaged in,
    • prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response or recovery actions, as applicable, with respect to,
      • A. fires as defined in the Forest Fires Prevention Act,
      • B. floods,
      • C. dam failures, or
      • D. emergencies relating to oil and gas exploration or production, hydrocarbon underground storage, and salt solution mining, or
    • the provision of support services to Conservation Officers through the operation of the Ministry’s Provincial Communications Unit.
  • A person who holds a licence issued under section 13 of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 to act as a security guard.
  • Staff as defined in the Retirement Homes Act, 2010.
  • Licensees as defined in the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 who are individuals and who work or provide services at a retirement home.
  • Staff as defined in the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007.
  • Individuals who work for manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies, including medications, medical isotopes, vaccines and antivirals and medical devices. 
  • An individual employed by the Ministry of the Attorney General or a municipality in Ontario who is required to work on site to support the administration of the Ontario 4 Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice or the Court of Appeal for Ontario, including,
    • court services representatives, court and client representatives, court clerks, court registrars, court reporters, enforcement officers and any other administrative officers and employees that are considered necessary for the administration of the courts,
    • business professionals and Crown prosecutors of the Criminal Law Division, and
    • employees of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program
  • An individual who provides essential justice-related frontline services to Indigenous persons involved in the justice system and who is employed by an Indigenous community or Indigenous organization through a program funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General, including,
    • the Indigenous Courtwork Program,
    • the Indigenous Bail Verification and Supervision Program, or
    • the Indigenous Bail Beds Program.
  • An individual who is engaged in the delivery of frontline victim services funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General under the Ontario Victim Services program.
  • Persons, other than foster parents, who deliver or directly support the delivery of residential care, treatment and supervision to children and young persons residing in residential settings licensed under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017.
  • An individual employed by a children’s aid society designated under section 34 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 to provide services necessary for the performance of a children’s aid society’s functions, as set out in section 35 (1) of that Act.
  • An individual employed by a service agency as defined in section 1 of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008, to provide services and supports, within the meaning of section 4 of that Act, to adults with developmental disabilities.
  • An individual who is engaged in the delivery of services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services under the Violence Against Women Support Services or the Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports programs. 
  • A staff member of a transfer payment recipient funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services who is engaged or employed to deliver interpreting or intervenor services for persons who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind.
  • A staff member of a school as defined in the Education Act who provides in-person instruction at a school to pupils with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
  • An individual who is an inspector appointed under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 or a field-person or officer appointed under the Milk Act.
  • An individual employed in the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development in Radiation Protection Services.
  • An individual who is employed by any of the following entities to carry out work that is deemed by the entity to be critical to the ongoing generation, transmission, distribution and storage of electricity sufficient to meet the demands of the province of Ontario:
    • The Independent Electricity System Operator.
    • A generator, transmitter or distributor within the meaning of the Electricity Act, 1998.
  • An individual who performs work that is essential to the operation of,
    • a municipal drinking water system as defined in section 2 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002,
    • a non-municipal year-round residential system as defined in section 1 of Ontario Regulation 170/03 (Drinking Water Systems) made under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, or
    • a wastewater treatment facility or a wastewater collection facility as those terms are defined in section 1 of Ontario Regulation 129/04 (Licensing of Sewage Works Operators) made under the Ontario Water Resources Act and to which that Regulation applies.
  • An employee of a hotel or motel that is acting as an isolation centre, health care centre, vaccine clinic or that is housing essential workers.
  • An individual working in a homeless shelter or providing services to homeless persons.
  • An individual who works for a business that processes, manufactures or distributes food or beverages.
  • Members, officers and special constables appointed under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act who are working in Ontario.
  • Officers as defined in the Customs Act (Canada) who are working in Ontario.
  • Employees of the Canada Post Corporation who are working in Ontario.
  • Employees of HSR

Licensed child care for children aged 0-3.8 years will continue during this period.

Financial support is available to eligible families who live in Hamilton and have child care costs for children ages 0 to 12 years. You can complete the Child Care Subsidy Calculator to confirm if you're eligible to apply. 

How to Apply

Families can apply for child care subsidy using the online application form. Visit Apply for Financial Support for Child Care to review and complete the application process. 

Keeping your information up to date

Your file will need to be updated on an annual basis.  This can be done in person or by submitting the required paperwork. You will receive a letter requesting documentation to verify your continued eligibility prior to your subsidy expiring. Your Placement Authorization form will confirm the expiry date. Should you or your Subsidy Eligibility worker choose to complete the annual review in person an appointment will be scheduled with you.

Changes in your situation
If at any time your situation changes, such as moving to a new address, change in marital status or family composition, a significant change in income and/or your reason for receiving child care subsidy changes you must contact your Subsidy Eligibility worker within 48 hours. Depending on the changes, you may require a re-assessment.

A family is no longer eligible when any of the following occur:

  • No longer financially qualify
  • No longer have an approved reason to need child care (i.e. no longer in school, employment ended, child care referral ends)
  • Child(ren) turn 13 years of age
  • Move out of Hamilton, child care subsidy is not transferable

Failure to report these changes may result in payments owing to the City of Hamilton.

If prior to your annual review you experience a significant change in your income (reduction of 20% or more to your annual income) you may qualify for a reduction in your monthly contribution towards child care.  Contact your Subsidy Eligibility worker for further details.

Child care subsidy may continue until the beginning of a maternity/parental leave.  If medical complications arise and your leave begins early, medical documentation is required.  Prior approval is required from your Subsidy Eligibility worker if your child is to remain in subsidized care.

Once your baby is born, your file will be placed on a Break in Service.  A Break in Service permits you to keep your eligibility for child care subsidy while not actively receiving it. Reinstatement must be approved by the Subsidy Eligibility worker.  Contact your worker three months prior to when you need the subsidy to resume. Should you fail to contact your Subsidy Eligibility worker within 18 months of the start of your Break in Service your file will be terminated. 

You may qualify for a period of 3 months of continued child care subsidy to secure employment. You must seek approval from your Subsidy Eligibility worker to review your eligibility for a looking for work term.  A looking for work term is available only once in a 12 month period and for a maximum of 3 months. 

Transferring or withdrawing from the child care program

You must provide your current child care provider with a minimum of 2 weeks notice.  It is your responsibility to inform your Subsidy Eligibility worker of any changes to you child care arrangements.

Child Absence from the Child Care Program

Your child is permitted to be absent from a centre due to illness, vacation and unexpected absences up to a maximum allowable limit.  You are responsible for fees incurred beyond these limits. It is your responsibility to inform the child care centre of all absences. Your child care subsidy may be terminated if your child fails to attend on a regular basis.

If your child is absent for 5 consecutive days in a month or if you have concerns about your child’s attendance contact your Subsidy Eligibility worker.

If you have extenuating circumstances that have led to absences submit a Request Increase to Sick/Absent Days Form (PDF, 176 KB) for consideration prior to exhausting your allowable absences limits.  Supporting documentation may be required.

Contact us

Phone: 905-546-4870
Fax: 905-546-3064
Email: [email protected]

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Physical Address
Child Care Subsidy
Lister Block Building
28 James Street North, 6th Floor
Hamilton, Ontario L8R 2K1

Mailing Address
City of Hamilton
Healthy and Safe Communities
Child Care Subsidy
Lister Block Building, 6th Floor
P.O. Box 2040
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4Y5