Update on Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Program Application

At Joyful Robins Childcare Centre, we are committed to supporting families through high-quality, affordable childcare. In this spirit, we invested considerable time and resources in applying to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Program for 2025, aligning our programs with the Ministry of Education and Halton Region’s priorities.

While Halton Region confirmed that we successfully met all eligibility conditions, we regret to inform families that our application was not approved. As communicated by Halton, the following challenges influenced this outcome:

  • No New Space Approvals: The Ministry did not allocate any new childcare spaces to Halton Region for 2025 and 2026. Current demand far exceeds supply, with five requests for every available space.
  • Funding Constraints: There is a significant funding shortfall from federal and provincial governments across Ontario, limiting the ability to expand affordable childcare services.
  • Unmet Regional Needs: Despite ongoing advocacy, Halton’s requests to the Ministry for additional space allocations have not been successful.
  • Policy Bias Toward Not-for-Profits: The government’s push to reserve space allocations primarily for not-for-profit operators has complicated matters, leaving many quality private centres excluded despite their readiness and compliance.

This outcome reflects broader systemic issues in the childcare sector. Many centres are leaving the CWELCC program due to financial losses and operational uncertainty caused by restrictive government controls. The private sector is increasingly challenged to deliver where public efforts fall short.

Please note that Halton Region has confirmed our application remains on file. Should new spaces become available—due to closures or future allocations—we will be reconsidered.

We thank all families for their ongoing trust and support as we continue to provide excellent care and advocate for equitable access to affordable childcare for all

2025 Fee Schedule

Our current fee structure is as follows:

📌 Registration Fee: $250 (one-time non-refundable)

Toddler Program (18 - 30 months)

  • 2 days/week (Tues & Thurs): $795/month
  • 3 days/week (Mon, Wed & Fri): $1,155/month
  • 5 days/week (Mon – Fri): $1,695/month

Preschool Program (30 - 45 months)

  • 2 days/week (Tues & Thurs): $767/month
  • 3 days/week (Mon, Wed & Fri): $1,096/month
  • 5 days/week (Mon – Fri): $1,685/month

Kindergarten Program (45 - 68 months)

  • 2 days/week (Tues & Thurs): $739/month
  • 3 days/week (Mon, Wed & Fri): $1,075/month
  • 5 days/week (Mon – Fri): $1,635/month

💡 Please note that fees are reviewed annually to account for inflation, the cost of living, and staff retention, ensuring we continue to provide high-quality childcare for our community.

For inquiries or to begin the registration process, contact us today!