Frequently Asked Questions

Comprehensive Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions

At St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care, we understand that enrolling your child in a child care program is a big decision, and you likely have many questions. We want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether our program is the right fit for your family.

Comprehensive Resource for Members and Prospective Members

Whether you’re a current member or considering joining, we hope this resource will provide you with helpful information about our organization and services. Our team has put together a list of questions and answers that cover a wide range of topics, including our programs, fees, policies, and more.

If you have any additional questions that are not answered on this page, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to provide more information and help you make the best decision for your child’s care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care (SLCD)

CWELLC Program

What does the CWELCC agreement mean for parents?

All Ontario families with children 5 years old and younger, in participating licensed child care centres, will see their fees reduced in increments; expected to drop to an average of $10 a day by 2025.

Who is eligible for the CWELCC program?

Children under the age of 6 in licensed child care (Licensed summer break child care programs are eligible).

Children will be eligible until the last day of the month in which they turn 6.

Enrollment & Waitlist

What are my options if we are not ready to send our child into care at this time but we may need a space in the coming months.

We would be happy to add your child to a centre’s waitlist and will contact you once a spot becomes available. All applicants are kept on file for 6 months. If you wish to remain on the waitlist past 6 months, you must notify the Program Supervisor. Click here to be added to the waitlist.

We do not hold child care spaces.

How do I get placed on the waitlist?

We would be happy to add your child to a centre’s waitlist and will contact you once a spot becomes available. All applicants are kept on file for 6 months. If you wish to remain on the waitlist past 6 months, you must notify the Program Supervisor. Click here to join our waitlist.

When are you contacted about space availability?

Once a space becomes available, the Program Supervisor will contact the next person on the waitlist until the space is filled.

How do I have my child/children transferred to your centre?

If you are a family receiving a subsidy, you will need to:

  • Notify your caseworker,
  • contact us to be placed on the waitlist, and
  • give a withdrawal notice to your current child care location according to the agreed start date.

If you are a family not receiving a subsidy, you will need to:

  • contact us to be placed on the waitlist,
  • give a withdrawal notice to your current child care location according to the agreed start date.

Child Care Services & Policies

What do I need to bring for my child?

Please bring the following for your child:

    • Three (3) sets of weather-appropriate clothes,
    • diapers/underwear,
    • diaper creams/sunscreen,
    • indoor and outdoor shoes,
    • bottles/formula/baby food/breast milk, and
    • Weather-appropriate outerwear.
      • Needed to participate in the outdoor program for two (2) hours per day
      • Weather permitting.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Do you provide part-time care?

The Infant/Toddler Centre located at 4 Market Street only offers a full-time program.

The Preschool and School Age locations can offer part-time temporarily if a space exists. Two (2) weeks’ notice will be given if the space is needed for full-time care.

Do you have qualified staff?

We have R.E.C.E. teachers in each room as well as experienced assistants in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 (CCEYA). Each teacher is certified in First Aid, and infant/child CPR and also retains a Police Criminal Reference Check for the Vulnerable Sector. The staff participate voluntarily in professional development throughout the year.

Our turnover rate is very low. Consistent staff provides consistency and stability for the children.

What kind of meals are provided?

We have a pre-planned menu which adheres to nutrition requirements from the CCEYA. Each location provides a hot, nutritious lunch with an emphasis on child-friendly foods. We also provide an AM and PM snack, offering 2 choices. Staff eat with the children and model good eating habits. Infants and toddlers are given whole milk to encourage brain and bone development. The Infant/Toddler Centre has a day care cook on site. Yummy Catering caters the Preschool and School Age locations.

What schools do you service?

The School Age location serves schools in and outside of the neighbourhood.

This location currently provides:

  • an escort to and from St. Michaels Catholic School and Downtown Alternative School, and
  • bus escorts to and from Gabriele Roy and Winchester Public School.

As the schools we service may change, it is important to call the School Age location to ensure this list is up to date.

Allergies & Illness

What if my child has an allergy?

We are a nut-free facility.

Our centres follow strict allergy management guidelines put in place by the CCEYA. Allergies are taken very seriously. Major allergies are posted in all areas where children play, and all allergies are clearly posted in the appropriate classroom and the kitchen. If the allergy is life-threatening, an individual plan for that child will be developed with the parent/guardian. This will include warning symptoms, specific instructions, and a procedure to follow. All staff, volunteers, and students read and sign each allergy plan. Children with food allergies will receive a substitution prepared by the cook or catering company.

What happens if my child is sick?

Our program follows the regulations from Toronto Public Health’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and CCEYA. We trust parents to know if their child is too sick to attend/participate in the program. If a child spikes a fever or has diarrhea or vomiting, we will call you to pick them up. Our policy requires a child to be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning, and that diarrhea or vomiting has subsided for 48 hours before returning. Specific communicable illnesses have their own criteria (e.g. hand, foot and mouth). Unfortunately, sick days cannot be reimbursed or traded for another day.

Registration, Fees & Subsidies

How do I apply for a subsidy?

Click here to apply for a subsidy.

What do you require for registration?

To register your child with St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care (SLCD), you will need to complete the following:

  1. An Enrollment package including a current immunization schedule. 
  2. Pre-Authorized debit form.
  3. Anti-Spam Consent Form.
  4. Any plans to support medical needs.
What are your current fees?

Click here for our current fees.

School Transportation

Do you accept children that have bus transportation?

We accept children from Gabriele Roy and Winchester Public School.

Assistance and Commitment to High-Quality Child Care

We Provide A Nurturing & Safe Environment

We hope the FAQs above have been helpful in answering some of the most common questions you may have about St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care (SLCD). Our team is committed to providing a nurturing and safe environment for your child to learn and grow. We understand that choosing the right day care for your child can be a challenging decision, and we want to assure you that we are here to help every step of the way.

Contact Us for Further Assistance & Thank You

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. We are always available to help you navigate the registration process or provide further information about our programs and services.

Thank you for considering St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care for your child care needs.

Join Our Waitlist Today

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enroll your child in our program. Join our waitlist today, and take the first step towards providing your child with the best possible start in life.

Join Waitlist