Frequently Asked Questions

• General Information

  Q: What are the hours of operation? 
  The LPA Childcare Centre is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
  We are closed on all Public and Statutory Holidays, except for Remembrance Day and Family Day, when we remain open. 
  
  Q: Does the LPA Childcare Centre have a Parent Handbook?
  Yes. It can be accessed here: Parent Handbook

  Q: Is the LPA Childcare Centre affiliated with PSP (Rec Recess)? 
  No. The LPA Childcare Centre is operated by the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre (KMFRC). Our programs are licensed by the Ministry of Education and inspected annually under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA). 

• Types of Care Offered

  Q: What is Casual Care? 
  A flexible, pre-registered option offered Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for children ages 12 months to 13 years. Families may book up to two mornings per week, with additional mornings offered based on availability. 

  📞 To register, call 613-541-5010, ext. 8167. Messages are returned within 24–48 business hours. 

  Q: Who can access Casual Care? 
  To better support the growing military community, Casual Care registration is available exclusively to Military Families. 

  Q: What is the Full-Day Program? 
  Licensed, full-time child care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (up to age 6). 
  
  Includes: 

  • Nutritious lunch and two snacks daily 

  • Indoor/outdoor active play (minimum 2 hours outdoors daily, weather permitting) 

  • Creative, age-appropriate programming (arts & crafts, sensory play, etc.) 

  Q: What is Before and After School Care? 
  The LPA Childcare Centre offers 67 licensed spaces for school-aged children (up to age 13): 

  • Morning session: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. 

  • Afternoon session: 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

  Q: Does the LPA Childcare Centre offer seasonal or summer programs? 
  Yes. Full-day programs are available during: 

  • P.A. Days 

  • March Break 

  • Summer Break 

  • Winter Break 

  Priority is given to families already enrolled in Before and After School Care. Three weeks after registration opens, remaining spaces are offered to the wider community. 

   

• Enrollment & Waitlist

  Q: How do I register for licensed care at the LPA Childcare Centre? 
  Visit the City of Kingston Centralized Childcare Registry at www.kingstonchildcare.ca. 
  Be sure to include your employer information to help determine eligibility and priority. 

  Q: How long is the typical waitlist? 
  Wait times vary depending on age group, application date, and your family’s priority level. 
  For the most up-to-date information, email lpa@kmfrc.com. 

  Q: Do military families receive priority? 
  Yes. Military families are prioritized when space becomes available. Be sure to include your employer information to help determine eligibility and priority when going on the City of Kingston Centralized Childcare Registry (www.kingstonchildcare.ca).The LPA Childcare Centre follows this order of enrollment: 

  1. Military with a child already enrolled 

  2. Military (new to LPA) 

  3. KMFRC staff with a child already enrolled 

  4. KMFRC staff (new to LPA) 

  5. Civilian DND and NPF employees 

  6. Non-military families 

  Q: Can non-military families enroll? 
  Yes. Non-military families may enroll once all other priority categories have been served. 

  Q: Are there school catchment or bussing requirements? 
  Please check with Tri-Board Student Transportation or Consortium de transport scolaire d’Ottawa to confirm eligibility based on your home address. 
  
  The LPA Childcare Centre currently offers busing to: 

  • École Maple Elementary School 

  • St. Martha Catholic Elementary School 

  • Mgr-Rémi-Gaulin Catholic School 

  • Madeleine-de-Roybon Public School 

  • École Catholique Cathédrale 

• Communication

  Q: How do educators communicate with families? 
  We use the Lillio app to provide secure, real-time communication, including: 

  • Daily updates and photos 

  • Activity logs and videos 

  • End-of-day summaries 

  • Access to your child’s profile from any device 

• Health & Safety

  Q: Why was I asked to pick up my child due to illness, even if the symptoms seem mild? 
  As a licensed childcare centre, we are required to follow health and exclusion guidelines from the Ministry of Education and KFL&A Public Health (South East Health Unit). 
  Common symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent cough, or rashes may result in your child being sent home to help prevent the spread of illness. 

  🔗 KFL&A Public Health – Infections and infectious diseases 

  For more information, please refer to the Parent Handbook. 

• Financial Support

  Q: Does the LPA Childcare Centre offer fee subsidies? 
  Yes. We participate in the City of Kingston’s Childcare Subsidy Program. To qualify: 

  1. Secure a confirmed space at the LPA Childcare Centre 

  2. LPA submits the required paperwork 

  3. The City of Kingston will contact families to complete an income assessment 

  More information is available on the City of Kingston website. 

  Q: Is the LPA Childcare Centre enrolled in the CWELCC system? 
  Yes. The LPA Childcare Centre is participating in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, which aims to: 

  • Increase accessibility and inclusivity 

  • Improve affordability 

  • Reduce average childcare fees to $10/day by 2025–2026 

  Q: How do families make payments for child care at the LPA Childcare Centre? 
  Families receive a monthly invoice by email from the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre. The following payment methods are available: 

  • E-transfers:
    - Log in to your DOK MAIL account to view your invoice.
    - Send payment to: lpapayments@kmfrc.com.
    - Include your child(ren)’s name(s) and invoice number in the message.

  • Credit card – Accepted in person or over the phone during office hours 

  • Debit – Accepted in person at the KMFRC front desk 

  • Cash – Accepted in person at KMFRC front desk 

• Employment

  Q: Who can work at the LPA Childcare Centre? 
  We welcome all qualified applicants, including military family members. You do not need to know someone at LPA to apply or be hired. We are committed to fair and transparent hiring practices based on merit and experience. 

  We hire individuals with various educational backgrounds in early learning, including: 

  • Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) 

  • Child and Youth Care graduates 

  • Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) 

  • Individuals with child care experience in licensed or relevant settings 

  Q: What qualifications are required? 
  Applicants must have: 

  • Relevant education or experience working with children 

  • Ability to obtain a Standard First Aid & CPR Level C Certification 

  • A clear Vulnerable Sector Check 

  Experience working with military families is considered a strong asset.