Child Care in the NCR

Choosing child care takes time, planning and patience. We can help you make an informed decision that works best for you and your family, and navigate options.

Documents & Tools

FAQ
Answers to some frequently asked questions regarding navigating child care in the NCR.
Emergency Care Plan
To complete and have ready to share with care providers in case of a last minute emergency.
Choosing Child Care - Gatineau
Everything you need to know for navigating child care in the Gatineau area
Choosing Child Care - Ottawa
Everything you need to know for navigating child care in the Ottawa area
Questions to Ask
Questions and tips to ask when seeking a child care provider. To help families make an informed decision.
Guide
Helpful guide to learn what to consider when opening home-based child care.

Considerations

Apply to the wait list registry

To get a space in a licensed child care centre (full time care) or a preschool/nursery school (part time care), families must apply to the City wait list registry before a licensed centre can accept children.

In Ottawa - City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Wait list (oneHSN)
In Gatineau - City wait list registry. La Place 0-5

Search for a licensed child care centre by region.

In Ottawa - The Ministry of Education (gov.on.ca)
In Gatineau - Childcare establishment locator (gouv.qc.ca)

Refine search to show subsidy pricing

In Ottawa - To search for centres that have opted into the Government’s Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care (CWELCC) fee reduction, families can search the OneHSN site under the “find child care” tab. Information on eligibility can be found on the same site.
In Gatineau - Specify on your search if you want a centre with reduced contributions

Some school boards, community centres, as well as homecare providers, offer before and after school care.

For links to the school boards as well as a search engine for Community Centres websites, visit the links below.

Ottawa

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (ocdsb.ca)
French Language Public School Board (cepeo.on.ca)
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (ocsb.ca)
French Language Catholic School Board Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)(ecolecatholique.ca)
City of Ottawa community centre search

Gatineau

For unlicensed care, families can search for a homecare provider or in home provider near their place of residence or work:

Ottawa – Search with Daycarebear.ca
Gatineau – Search with MaGarderie.com

For families with children with exceptionalities, there is support to licensed child care programs (nursery schools, child care centres and homecare agencies) that promote the inclusion of children with special needs.

Connect with our Complex Needs program for more resources and support

In Ottawa

In Gatineau

Licensed (full time /part time)
Apply to the wait list registry
To get a space in a licensed child care centre (full time care) or a preschool/nursery school (part time care), families must apply to the City wait list registry before a licensed centre can accept children.
- In Ottawa - City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Wait list (oneHSN)
- In Gatineau - City wait list registry. La Place 0-5
Search for a licensed child care centre by region.
- In Ottawa - The Ministry of Education (gov.on.ca)
- In Gatineau - Childcare establishment locator (gouv.qc.ca)
Refine search to show subsidy pricing
- In Ottawa - To search for centres that have opted into the Government’s Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care (CWELCC) fee reduction, families can search the OneHSN site under the “find child care” tab. Information on eligibility can be found on the same site.
- In Gatineau - Specify on your search if you want a centre with reduced contributions
Before and after school (part time)
Some school boards, community centres, as well as homecare providers, offer before and after school care.
For links to the school boards as well as a search engine for Community Centres websites, visit the links below.
Ottawa
- Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (ocdsb.ca)
- French Language Public School Board (cepeo.on.ca)
- The Ottawa Catholic School Board (ocsb.ca)
- French Language Catholic School Board Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)(ecolecatholique.ca)
- City of Ottawa community centre search
Gatineau
Unlicensed (homecare/ in home)
For unlicensed care, families can search for a homecare provider or in home provider near their place of residence or work:
- Ottawa – Search with Daycarebear.ca
- Gatineau – Search with MaGarderie.com
Complex Needs Support
For families with children with exceptionalities, there is support to licensed child care programs (nursery schools, child care centres and homecare agencies) that promote the inclusion of children with special needs.
- Connect with our Complex Needs program for more resources and support
In Ottawa
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Autism Services - CHEO
- Children’s Inclusion Support Services │Andrew Fleck Children's Services (afchildrensservices.ca)
In Gatineau
- Centre intégré de santé et services sociaux CISSS de l'Outaouais (gouv.qc.ca)
- Special Needs | Connexions Resource Centre (centreconnexions.org)

About Child Care - MFS-NCR

Connect with MFS-NCR

Our Navigator Cindy is well versed in child care in the NCR area. She has a vast understanding of the policies and processes for both Quebec and Ontario, and experience within the child care profession.

Navigate Child Care Options

The child care needs of each individual family are truly unique. Cindy will work with YOU to provide resources and tools aligned with your needs. From licensed care to accessing before and after school care, let us help you understand what is available.

Child Care in the NCR

Documents & Tools

Answers to some frequently asked questions regarding navigating child care in the NCR.

To complete and have ready to share with care providers in case of a last minute emergency.

Everything you need to know for navigating child care in the Gatineau area

Everything you need to know for navigating child care in the Ottawa area

Questions and tips to ask when seeking a child care provider. To help families make an informed decision.

Helpful guide to learn what to consider when opening home-based child care.

Considerations

Apply to the wait list registry

Search for a licensed child care centre by region.

Refine search to show subsidy pricing

Some school boards, community centres, as well as homecare providers, offer before and after school care.

Ottawa

Gatineau

For unlicensed care, families can search for a homecare provider or in home provider near their place of residence or work:

For families with children with exceptionalities, there is support to licensed child care programs (nursery schools, child care centres and homecare agencies) that promote the inclusion of children with special needs.

In Ottawa

In Gatineau

Apply to the wait list registry

Search for a licensed child care centre by region.

Refine search to show subsidy pricing

Some school boards, community centres, as well as homecare providers, offer before and after school care.

Ottawa

Gatineau

For unlicensed care, families can search for a homecare provider or in home provider near their place of residence or work:

For families with children with exceptionalities, there is support to licensed child care programs (nursery schools, child care centres and homecare agencies) that promote the inclusion of children with special needs.

In Ottawa

In Gatineau

About Child Care - MFS-NCR

Connect with MFS-NCR

Navigate Child Care Options

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