Child Care Registry

Reduce your costs for child care

Financial support is available to eligible families who live in Hamilton and have child care costs for 0 to 12 years.

To determine if you are eligible, submit an online application

The Hamilton Child Care Registry makes finding licensed child care providers simple. You can browse child care options by location and age group. You can also view details about a child care program, hours and type of care being offered.

Explore child care options

To find child care, you can search by amenities or your location. View map in new window

As an alternate to using the City of Hamilton’s online Child Care Registry a resource has been developed that lists child care sites operating in Hamilton, with corresponding contact information and care details.

This document is available in Excel (with filter options) and PDF (with search options) format and will be updated semi-annually.

Download Child Care Registry Booklet(PDF, 238.08 KB)

Download Child Care Registry Booklet Excel(File, 39.49 KB)

Hamilton is a community rich in quality child care and families are encouraged to research child care choices as options vary. All licensed child care programs with a Funding Agreement with the City of Hamilton participate in Hamilton's Early Years System and Quality Program.

Learn more about Licensed

Centre-Based & Home Child Care

Licensed child care is governed by the Child Care and Early Years Act. The Ministry of Education provides standards around health, safety and quality experiences for children. Licensed child care is regularly monitored and inspected to ensure they are following Ministry standards.

Learn more about the difference of Licensed Child Care

Centre-Based Child Care

Home Child Care

Licensed Child Care Centres care for infants and toddlers, as well as pre-school and school-aged children. They include nursery schools, full-day care, extended hours care, and before and after school programs. Child care centres operate in a variety of locations including workplaces, community centres, schools and places of worship.

Ministry of Education staff inspects child care centres at least once a year to make sure the programs meet specific provincial standards for the health, safety and developmental needs of the children.

Benefits of Licensed Centre-Based Child Care

Staff are certified Early Childhood Educators
Promotes play based learning, physical and outdoor activity
Support early detection and intervention
Access to special needs resourcing
Supports smooth transitions to school
Links to other community programs and supports
Child Care Fee Subsidies available

Learn more about Licensed Centre-Based Child Care

Licensed home child care is provided in the home of a child care provider that is contracted with a licensed home child care agency. There are three licensed home child care agencies that have a Funding Agreement with the City of Hamilton. Home child care providers with a licensed home child care agency are supported by a home child care visitor with a background in Early Childhood Education (ECE) who meets Ministry of Education requirements.

Benefits of Licensed Home Child Care

Offers home-like environment
Flexible hours of care to meet families’ needs
Providing care for children 0-12 years
Small group size – up to six children
Conveniently located in a neighbourhood near you
Child care agency provides support, training and inspections of each home
Child Care fee subsidies available

A home child care provider with a licensed agency can care for a maximum of 6 children under the age of 13.
A home child care provider not with a licensed agency can care for a maximum of 5 children under the age of 13.
All home child care providers cannot care for more than two children under the age of two years old.

Yes. All home child care providers must count their own children under the age of 6.

No. The maximum number of children applies regardless of the number of adults in the home.

For licensed home child care providers, the licensing agency may arrange for back up care for your child during your providers illness or vacation period.

Yes. Providers and each adult in the home must have a Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening prior to caring for children.

No, many people care for children without being a part of the licensed system. If you choose to use an independent caregiver you will need to monitor the care yourself. There will not be any monitoring by an outside agency. The only law that covers independent people caring for children in their own home pertains to the number of children cared for. A person may not care for more than 5 children at any one time.

Licensed agencies support providers by ensuring that they are in compliance with the Ministry of Education’s standards. Caregivers are screened, approved and monitored by people called home visitors. Home visitors complete regular unscheduled visits to all homes to ensure the agency standards are being maintained. Providers have access to various training, workshops and the ongoing support of Registered Early Childhood Educators.

Home visitors have training in early childhood education, child development and/or family studies. They check that the home is safe for children before children are enrolled and check in routinely to make sure caregivers are following the provincial requirements and the agency's policies and procedures.

They may support providers by:

Planning activities for children at different stages of their development.
Giving advice about nutritious meal planning.
Helping choose toys and equipment that are safe and suitable for the children.

The home visitor also helps families find an agency caregiver that meets the needs of the child and family.

Considering Home Child Care?

Speak to a Child Care Agency

Date modified

March 11, 2025