Children's Services
In the Children Services Division, we work to ensure that quality, affordable child care is available to residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton. The office works in consultation with the child care community to create policies that enforce safe and readily available services across the municipalities.
Children's Services will:
- Ensure our primary focus is the delivery of quality child care services that nurture the individual needs of the children.
- Recognize the right of all parents to make informed, supported decisions, by offering information about and access to a wide range of flexible service models and resources.
- Treat each family with respect and dignity recognizing the diversity of our community.
- Demonstrate commitment and leadership in the broader community through such things as training, professional development, participation on boards and committees.
Objectives:
To meet the many various child care needs within the community, including both the fee-paying and subsidized clients.
Services Provided:
Child Care
In the Children Services Division, we work to ensure that quality, affordable child care is available to residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton. The office works in consultation with the child care community to create policies that enforce safe and readily available services across the municipalities.
To apply for child care subsidy please call the Lindsay office at (705) 324-9870 and ask to speak to the Children’s Services Clerk.
Privately Owned Child Care Centres
There are 14 privately operated child care centres, 13 of them being non-profit programs, and two home child care agencies from which services are purchased.
Ontario Works Child Care Program
The Ontario Works Child Care Program helps clients in receipt of financial assistance successfully fulfill their participation agreement requirements. Children of Ontario Works clients can receive child care services through the licensed formal system or through informal child care providers. These benefits are available for children up to 12 years of age.
Wage Subsidy Program
The Wage Subsidy Program increases the earnings of licensed child care workers without raising the cost of child care services. Cash grants are paid directly to the child care programs based on a formula determined by the Provincial Government. Child care programs must only use these funds to increase the wages paid to their child care staff.
Special Needs Program
We are responsible for the management of special needs resource consulting in the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton. Integration is supported through Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents (formerly Family Services of Haliburton County) and Community Living Kawartha Lakes. These funds provide services to licensed child care programs and parents, supporting the integration of special needs children.
Who We Serve:
We serve the child care community at large. Priority is given to the single parent in school or working, low income families and children with special needs. However, every effort is made to serve all community members in need of child care and/or related information.
Staff Resources:
- All licenced centres and programs must comply with legislation in the Day Nurseries Act regarding such issues as qualified staff, child/staff ratios, etc. Those agencies with a Purchase of Service Agreement must also meet the Kawartha Lakes/Haliburton Social Services Housing Alliance Operating Criteria to ensure quality care.
- Further information on child care regulations can be obtained through Ministry of Children and Youth Services at http://www.children.gov.on.ca.
