Apply to the early learning and child care program
The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program supports a high-quality, affordable, easily accessible, and inclusive licensed child care system.
As the demand for child care is expected to rise, Peel Region is continuously working to increase access to licensed child care for families in our community. Our goal is to create 11,980 new child care spaces by the end of 2026.
The Ontario government has directed Peel Region to maintain its current child care system for children younger than 6 years of age. This ensures that at least 60% of the spaces are non-profit spaces and the remaining 40% are commercial (for-profit) spaces.
As part of our CWELCC expansion plan, Peel Region must create at least 7,170 non-profit child care spaces. Our commercial centre-based providers can operate in the remaining 4,810 spaces.
CWELCC expansion plan update
We are currently accepting applications from non-profit, centre-based child care providers. Learn about our non-profit expansion in Peel.
We’ve paused CWELCC expansion applications from commercial (for-profit), centre-based child care providers and all licensed home child care (LHCC) agencies.
We reached our commercial (for-profit) space goal, and we are not approving new homes to open in Peel as there is room to enroll more children in the current licensed home child care system. We will continue to monitor our LHCC system data and if enrolment increases, we will reassess the decision to pause and communicate any changes to the sector.
You can apply to Peel Region’s CWELCC program if you plan to create new licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers in one of our priority communities.
We’re currently accepting applications from non-profit, centre-based child care providers. Learn about our non-profit expansion in Peel.
You can apply if:
- You’re participating in Peel’s CWELCC program, and you are planning to increase spaces in an existing site through a licence revision.
- You’re participating in Peel’s CWELCC program, and you are planning to open a new child care site in Peel.
- You do not operate in Peel, and you would like to open a new child care site in Peel.
Centre-based providers must be registered as a non-profit child care provider before applying to Peel’s CWELCC program. You need to maintain the status of a non-profit child care provider throughout the term of your CWELCC agreement.
You can participate in Peel’s CWELCC expansion program if your project will be licensed and operating by December 31, 2026.
Before applying, check your eligibility and review the CWELCC expansion plan and application process.
We encourage you to do thorough research to understand the communities in Peel that need licensed child care spaces and develop a business plan that shows how you will be viable.
You must receive Peel Region’s approval to enroll in CWELCC before proceeding with municipal zoning, site plan approval, or entering into a lease agreement.
Early years and child care (EYCC) mapping tool
To identify the priority communities open for expansion, use the EYCC mapping tool.
From the legend on the left-hand side, select “CWELCC Expansion”.
Hover over the priority communities to see which communities have achieved their space goals (and expansion is paused) and which communities have spaces available (focus for expansion). This tool will be updated regularly so you will know where there is still a need for child care spaces.
If you have trouble accessing the mapping tool link, update your Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser to the latest version. Clear all temporary files before viewing the EYCC mapping tool.
Review the "before applying" and "eligibility" sections before you start the application process. If you’re interested in participating in the CWELCC program:
- Complete the CWELCC expansion application
- Email your completed application with the subject line “CWELCC Expansion Application.”
Depending on application volume, it may take us up to 4 weeks to complete our review and get back to you with the results.
CWELCC approval is site-specific and cannot be transferred to another location. You must submit a new centre-based application if either of these situations occur:
- The address of your new location changed from what you stated in your application.
- You were approved for CWELCC but the specific location you were interested in leasing is not available anymore.
If you are applying for a new child care centre, you must submit a letter from the landlord or property owner confirming your interest in the proposed location. If you are expanding your existing site, you need to provide an updated lease agreement or letter from the landlord to show that the landlord has agreed to your expansion.
Start-up Grant
You may use the CWELCC expansion application form to apply for a Start-up Grant available in 2025. The Start-up Grant can be used to support costs required to meet the Ministry of Education’s licensing requirements when expanding or creating new licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This also includes buying equipment or leasehold improvements required to license a new child care site.
Review the CWELCC expansion plan and application process to learn more about the Start-up Grant.
If you are approved for the Start-up Grant, you can refer to the 2025 centre-based child care Start-up Grant guidelines.
If you have questions or need more information about early years and child care and CWELCC expansion in Peel, email us.
For more information on Peel’s expansion plan and application process, review the questions and answers intended to support licensed child care providers.
Learn more about the funding resources available to licensed providers.
The reviewing and approval process of applications:
- Does not guarantee approval into the CWELCC program.
- Is subject to Peel’s review as well as funding and space availability.
- Includes review against provincial requirements and Peel Region’s specific criteria.
To know how applications are assessed and approved, review Peel’s CWELCC expansion plan and application process.
We have streamlined our funding agreements to build an inclusive, accessible, and affordable child care system.
As a part of our CWELCC program, approved child care providers in Peel Region will enter an EYCC Funding Agreement. This agreement requires providers to:
- Accept and include children who receive child care subsidy.
- Accept and include children with special needs by actively participating in Peel Inclusion Resource Services.
- Participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives like Raising the Bar in Peel and professional learning opportunities.
Review licensing requirements
Before you apply, review the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and Ontario Regulation 137/15.
How to start a child care program in Ontario
If you are interested in opening a child care centre or home, review these resources before you apply for a license:
- Child care licensing manual
- Home child care licensing manual
- Before and after school program licensing guideline
- Ministry of Education child care centre planning and design guidelines.
You can find more information from the Ministry on how to start a child care program.