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Child care and family support in London, Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada
London family programs, child care waitlist steps, provider comparisons, CWELCC fee reductions, City subsidy documents, application help and appeals.
Key information
In London, Ontario, family drop-ins, a child care place and financial help are separate services. Family Centres offer activities and support. OneHSN handles regional care applications. Eligible participating providers apply Ontario’s CWELCC fee reductions, while City fee subsidy needs its own application and documents.
On this page
Family programs, care places and fee assistance
| You need | Start here | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| A family activity or parenting help | Family Centres and library calendars | Age group, caregiver attendance and registration |
| Care while you work or study | London and Middlesex child care waitlist | Space, hours, age group and fees |
| Help paying for eligible care | City child care fee subsidy | Eligibility, documents and funding availability |
Sources: City Family Centres and early learning programs · City child care starting points · London and Middlesex child care waitlist · City child care fee subsidy rules and documents
Family Centres, EarlyON and library playgroups
Family Centres offer play, parenting help and links to local services. The City says most programs are free. Choose a session for your child’s age and check whether you need to register or stay with your child.
A Community Connector can help you find the right service. The City directory also points to French-language programs, Indigenous-led programs and links to extra support.
Childreach is another local starting point. It lists free playgroups, outdoor play and parenting workshops. Use its current calendar for the actual session, location and joining rules.
- City Family Centres and early learning programs
- Childreach playgroups, workshops and family support
- Library services for children and families
Sources: City Family Centres and early learning programs · Childreach playgroups, workshops and family support
London and Middlesex child care waitlist
- Find care
Explore providers and join the child care waitlist.
- Check costs
Ask providers about fees, hours and availability.
- Apply for help
Use the City subsidy process if you may qualify.
The City links to the regional OneHSN waitlist for child care applications. This is different from applying for financial help. A waitlist application is not a confirmed place.
- Open the City’s child care page and follow its waitlist link.
- Register or sign in to the regional system and complete the application.
- Keep contact details current and check messages, including junk mail.
The waitlist site says to apply for child care before completing a subsidy application. Ask the City if you are unsure which step applies to your family.
Sources: City child care starting points · London and Middlesex child care waitlist
Family support locations
Childreach
265 Maitland Street
Childreach supports parents, caregivers and young children through early-years programs and parenting resources. Its current calendar lists the place, ages and registration rules for each activity. This is a family-support centre, not a child-care vacancy listing.
Child care provider comparison checklist
Use the same questions for each provider so you can compare the answers. FamilyInfo has a fuller checklist you can take to a call or visit.
- Is there space for my child’s age, and how does your waitlist work?
- What are the opening hours and the full cost, including extra fees?
- What does a usual day look like, including meals and outdoor play?
- How do you handle allergies, illness, pickup and a child’s support needs?
- Is the care licensed, and where can I read the provider’s policies?
Sources: FamilyInfo: choosing child care · FamilyInfo: questions to ask a child care provider (PDF)
CWELCC reduced fees and City subsidy
| Program | How it works | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario CWELCC fee reduction | Eligible base fees capped at $22 per day from January 1, 2025; existing lower fees stay lower | Provider applies the reduction; parents do not apply separately |
| City fee subsidy | Based on household financial need, approved reason for care and funding | Separate City application and supporting documents |
CWELCC is the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system. Ontario’s fee reductions apply at participating licensed providers for eligible children under six. Children turning six can qualify until June 30 in listed preschool, kindergarten, family or home-care settings. Ask the provider to confirm eligibility.
The $22 cap is for eligible base fees. It does not cover every provider or every extra charge. For new subsidy arrangements for ages zero to five, Ontario generally requires CWELCC-participating care. A limited exception applies to qualifying arrangements already in place on December 31, 2024.
Sources: Ontario CWELCC child care fee reduction rules · City child care fee subsidy rules and documents
City child care fee subsidy eligibility
Subsidy is for eligible London families with children aged 12 or younger. Financial need, work, school or an approved medical or social need, and available funding affect approval. Job searching alone does not qualify; a confirmed work offer is needed on that basis.
Submit both the application and documents through the Children’s Services Portal. Uploads must be PDF or JPG, up to 4 MB. If funding is unavailable, an eligible child may be waitlisted. The City says the waitlist date is when all required documents are received.
Subsidy application document checklist
| Evidence | Examples or requirement |
|---|---|
| Identity | Birth certificate, passport or listed citizenship/immigration document for each family member; health cards are not accepted |
| Address | Recent utility bill or lease |
| Employment | Two recent pay stubs or an employer letter showing daily hours |
| School | Timetable and registration showing start and end dates |
| Household income | Notice of Assessment or listed benefit statement; follow the checklist for both parents |
| Self-employment | Income and expense statement plus the listed business evidence |
| Special circumstances | Custody/guardianship papers or a special-needs referral, where applicable |
Read the full checklist for your situation. The PDF is dated June 2025; confirm alternatives with staff if a document is missing or your circumstances have changed. The current program page controls application and waitlist rules.
- City subsidy supporting document checklist (June 2025 PDF)
- City child care fee subsidy rules and documents
Sources: City subsidy supporting document checklist (June 2025 PDF) · City child care fee subsidy rules and documents
Application help and decision appeals
For document or application help, call Child Care Fee Subsidy at 519-661-4834, Monday to Friday. Include your application details when asking about missing documents.
- To appeal a subsidy decision, submit a written request within 30 days.
- Include your name, contact information and any new information.
- Use the Children’s Services Portal with the subject APPEAL, or the mailing address on the City subsidy page.
The City lists a five-business-day review period. A review does not guarantee that the decision will change.
Sources: City child care fee subsidy rules and documents · City subsidy supporting document checklist (June 2025 PDF)
Questions about London child care and family programs
Does joining the child care waitlist also apply for subsidy?
No. The City has a separate fee subsidy process. Its application and required documents must both be completed.
Are all Family Centre activities free?
The City says most programs are free. Check the specific listing for age, registration and any cost.
Where can I compare child care options in London?
Start with the City’s child care links and FamilyInfo’s guide. Ask each provider about licensing, available spaces, fees, hours and your child’s needs.
Source: FamilyInfo: choosing child care
Does joining the London child care waitlist guarantee a space?
No. OneHSN records an application, not a confirmed placement. Keep your contact details current, check messages and speak with providers about the age group, hours and start date you need.
Source: City child care starting points
What should I ask before choosing a child care provider?
Ask about licensing, space for your child’s age, hours, all fees, meals, outdoor play and pickup rules. Discuss allergies and support needs. Use the same checklist for each provider so the answers are easy to compare.
Source: FamilyInfo: choosing child care
Can I use a family playgroup as child care while I work?
Do not treat a family activity as a child care placement. Check whether the caregiver must stay, the child’s age group and any registration requirement. Care while you work uses a separate provider and application process.
What makes a child care subsidy application complete?
The City needs both the application and required supporting documents. Upload the requested files through the Children’s Services Portal. If eligible children are waitlisted for funding, the City uses the date all required documents were received.
Which documents might I need for child care fee subsidy?
The City checklist covers family identity, address, income and the reason care is needed. Work, study, self-employment and special circumstances have different evidence. Use the full checklist for your household rather than one generic list.
Source: City subsidy supporting document checklist (June 2025 PDF)
Do parents apply separately for CWELCC fee reductions?
The participating provider applies the eligible fee reduction. Confirm that the provider participates and that your child and fees qualify. A City fee subsidy application is a separate process.
Who can help with a London child care subsidy application?
Call Child Care Fee Subsidy at 519-661-4834 for application or document help. Have your application details and the specific missing item ready. If appealing a decision, use the City’s written appeal instructions and deadline.