You are here: 
Home > Programs > Early Learning and Child Care
Programs Operating in our Schools
To assist parents in finding quality early learning and child care services for children, the Board has developed this page, organizing the location and type of care provided in our schools. The schools are listed below by geographic location. Under each school, you will be able to link to the Community Information Services’ Co-ordinated Access for Child Care Web site, where you will find more helpful information including:
- contact information
- type of care offered
- site location
- hours of operation
- age range for which the centre is licensed
- closure dates such as holidays and summer breaks
- whether the centre offers an escort for students between the school and the early learning and child care program.
Parenting and Family Literacy Centres
Parenting and Family Literacy Centres are school-based programs for parents and their children, aged birth to six years of age that operate during the school day. The parent/caregiver stays with the child at all times.
These programs help to prepare children for school and encourage families to be part of their children’s learning by:
- helping children build essential literacy and numeracy skills through stories, music, reading and playing
- encouraging families to engage in their children’s learning
- offering a book-lending library in different languages, so parents can read to their children in their first language
- helping parents and children feel comfortable and familiar with school staff and school routines
- giving families the chance to spend time with other families
- linking families with appropriate community resources for special needs, health and other related services
- expanding the network of services already available to families in Hamilton by collaborating with their local Ontario Early Years Centres, early learning and child care centres and other programs for families with young children
Centres within the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board:
Program Facilitators in the Parenting and Family Literacy Centres work as partners with the Kindergarten teachers and local community programs, collaborating to create a welcoming learning environment that will help prepare children for school. Centres are free to attend and no pre-registration is required. Parents and children are invited to come to the centre at any time during the scheduled hours. Hours vary according to the needs of each community, so please contact the centre to find out when each Parenting and Family Literacy Centre is open.
Ontario Early Years Centres in Hamilton
An Ontario Early Years Centre is a place for parents and caregivers of children up to the age of six to get information about their children’s development and services to support that development.
Each Centre provides the following free services to parents and guardians:
- Early learning and literacy programs for parents and their children.
- Programs to support parents and caregivers in all aspects of early child development.
- Programs on pregnancy and parenting.
- Links to other early years programs in the community.
- Learn more about the Ontario Early Years Centres.
- Find the Ontario Early Years Centres, within the Hamilton Area.
The general number for OEYC is 905.524.4884. Click here to see the list of their locations.
Today's Family Early Learning and Child Care
Today's Family Early Learning and Child Care is a non-profit, charitable agency offering a wide variety of Early Learning and Child Care programs and Ontario Early Years Centres. Please see the listing for more information regarding early learning and child care services provided. Click here to visit the Today's Family Early Learning and Child Care website.
Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton
Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton is a non-profit corporation, providing child care for toddlers, preschool and school-aged children within some Board facilities. Please see the listing below to determine in which schools the corporation currently operates. Click here to visit the Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton website.
YMCA
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board also provides space for the YMCA and other non-profit organizations to operate child care programs in our schools. Please see the listing for more information regarding the variety of child care services provided. Click here to visit the YMCA Child Care page.
