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Children on a playground

Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan

2025-2030

Niagara Region's five-year roadmap to ensure every child has access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care — wherever families need it most.

14,596

Licensed child care spaces across Niagara

26

EarlyON locations offering free programs for children 0–6

4,067

New licensed child care spaces being created by 2026

3,300+

Residents consulted to shape this plan

Family two parents and 3 children at home

How this plan was built

The Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan is Niagara Region's five-year plan for investing in early learning and child care programs for children aged 0 to 12. It was developed under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and approved by Regional Council in spring 2025.

Niagara Region directly operates child care centres and a licensed home child care agency, and provides oversight and funding to hundreds of additional providers across all 12 area municipalities.

As Niagara grows and becomes more diverse, this plan ensures early years programs keep pace — meeting families where they are, in a way that's inclusive, affordable and high-quality.

Over 3,300 people shaped this plan, including parents, caregivers, child care staff, community partners and children themselves.

Satisfaction with programs

What families told us

Based on survey responses from parents and caregivers across Niagara.

94%

of parents satisfied with licensed child care centres

90%

of parents satisfied with licensed home child care

92%

of parents satisfied with EarlyON programming

Types of early years and child care programs

What's available

Niagara Region funds, oversees and directly operates a range of programs for children from birth to age 12.

Child care centre with a playground

Licensed child care centres

Centre-based care for children aged 0–12, offered by not-for-profit and for-profit operators in schools, community hubs and standalone buildings. Niagara Region directly operates five child care centres.

193 centres • 13,750 licensed spaces

Home child care with provider and child

Licensed home child care

Care for children aged 0–12 provided in a caregiver's private home. Located within the neighbourhoods where families live and work, and may offer extended hours including evenings and weekends.

141 homes • 856 spaces

Adult and child stacking blocks together

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Free in-person and virtual programs for children aged 0–6 and their parents or caregivers. Families can play, connect, access resources and get support with no cost and no registration required.

21 locations • free for all families

Hand holding money

Child care fee subsidy

Financial assistance to help eligible families pay for licensed child care so they can attend school or go to work. The amount of support depends on household income and the cost of care.

2,587 children supported in 2023

Hand holding a heart

Special needs resourcing

Support for children with special or differing needs to fully participate in licensed child care or EarlyON programs. Resource and behaviour consultants work alongside educators, and transition-to-kindergarten support is available.

1,021 children supported in 2023

Building blocks with the letters ABC

Indigenous and Francophone programs

Niagara Region supports two Indigenous-led EarlyON programs — Tshikeksa' EarlyON (Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre) and Odrohyagweh EarlyON (Niagara Regional Native Centre) — as well as Francophone child care spaces across the region.

2 Indigenous EarlyON sites • 2,320 French language spaces

group of kids in daycare

What children said about their programs

Children attending Niagara Region directly operated child care centres shared what they love about coming to care.

"Rainbow means happy and I feel happy at daycare." - Child, St. Catharines Child Care Centre

"Daycare is like a community." - Child, Niagara Region directly operated centre

"I like how much we learn outside." - Child, Niagara Region directly operated centre

Five pillars

What guides the plan

Every goal and action in this plan ties back to one of five pillars, built through research and shaped by what families and the sector told us.

Three people standing next to each other

Customer-centered

Pillar 1

Goal

Families and children in Niagara are aware of the programs and services available to them.

  • Make it easier for families to find and access information about programs
  • Create regular opportunities for families to share feedback
An award medal with a ribbon

High-quality

Pillar 2

Goal

The early years and child care sector is supported in delivering programs that promote healthy child development.

  • Set clear expectations for what quality looks like across the system
  • Support recruitment and retention of qualified educators
  • Advocate for stronger wages and professional development
A speech bubble with lines indicating text

Accessible and responsive

Pillar 3

Goal

Programs reach families where they are, when they need them, in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

  • Expand programs to priority neighbourhoods where need is greatest
  • Explore flexible hours including evenings and weekends
  • Ensure all children, including those with special needs, can access programming
Combined bar and line graph

Affordable and growth focused

Pillar 4

Goal

Programs are affordable for families and support workforce participation and economic growth.

  • Expand fee subsidy access and promote EarlyON as a free option
  • Continue growing licensed child care spaces across Niagara
  • Partner with businesses and municipalities to build child care into economic planning
Three people sitting at a table in a meeting

Community-driven

Pillar 5

Goal

Niagara Region works with community partners to deliver integrated, connected services for children and families.

  • Deepen partnerships with public health, school boards and community agencies
  • Strengthen relationships with Indigenous and Francophone partners
  • Reach families who are newcomers, marginalized or have diverse needs

Priority neighbourhoods for child care expansion

New spaces are being targeted where demand is highest — using child development data, low-income measures, and child care deserts to guide where investment goes.

12 Priority neighbourhoods for children 5 and under

Grimsby Grimsby Beach

Lincoln Beamsville

Niagara Falls Beaverdams

Niagara Falls Drummond / Victoria

Niagara Falls Stamford

Niagara Falls Westlane

St. Catharines Downtown / Haig

St. Catharines Facer / Cushman

St. Catharines Merritton

Thorold Thorold Proper

Pelham South Fonthill

Port Colborne Humberstone / Stonebridge

Welland Eastdale / Cordage

Welland South Pelham / Chippawa Park

Welland Woodlawn / Seaway

Children in daycare

Learn more about the plan

Annual progress updates will be shared as the plan is implemented.

Download the Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan (PDF)