Children and Community Services - FAQs
1. How do I apply for financial assistance for child care fees?
Financial assistance for child care fees is available to eligible families within Simcoe County. In order to apply, Parents/Guardians must be:
- working
- attending school
- fulfilling a participation agreement with Ontario Works or
- in need of developmental programming for a child with special needs
Eligibility for Child Care Fee Assistance is determined by a standard assessment based on income only. County of Simcoe residents interested in applying for Child Care Fee Assistance should have their childcare arrangement in place prior to scheduling an appointment for assessment of eligibility.
Required Documentation for Interview
Download the Child Care Fee Subsidy brochure to learn more.
To schedule a Child Care Fee Assistance interview please call:
705-722-3132 press 4 or
905-729-4514 press 4
2. Who is eligible to become a family home provider with the County of Simcoe?
The following qualifications are necessary:
- must be 18 years of age or over
- the ability to enjoy children and a commitment to providing a constructive, nurturing environment
- an awareness of and respect for the individual needs of children
- a willingness to work in partnership with parents and with County of Simcoe staff
- a willingness to provide a smoke-free home
- the ability to provide a safe environment
- completion of a criminal reference check
Simcoe County’s Family Home Day Care Agency must ensure that the regulations of the Day Nurseries Act are followed. In addition, each Family Home Day Care location must comply with municipal fire and health regulations, as well as all agency policies and procedures.
3. How do I become a family home provider with the County of Simcoe?
Contact County of Simcoe Children and Community Services to arrange a meeting with our professional staff in your home to discuss your interest in providing care and to review Agency policies and procedures. A contract will be signed with the County of Simcoe upon the successful completion of the approval process.
Contact Andrea Hryciw, Program Supervisor
705-722-3132 x1145 or
905-729-4514 x1145
4. How do I apply to become licensed child care service provider?
Please refer to the Day Nurseries Act for Child Care Supervisors of Ontario website.
5. What is Wage Subsidy?
Wage Subsidy provides funding to child care service providers to improve the salaries of child care workers within licensed programs, to enhance staff stability and to make licensed child care more affordable for all parents. Historically, low salaries and lack of benefits have resulted in fewer and fewer Early Childhood Educators entering and remaining in the field. This enhancement recognizes the important role that Early Childhood Educators have in early child development.
6. How do I apply for Wage Subsidy?
To be eligible for Wage Subsidy, service providers must be licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and have been in operation for a minimum of six months. Interested programs are directed to submit a written request to the attention of the Children's Services Department at the County of Simcoe to indicate their interest in receiving Wage Subsidy funding.
For additional information regarding wage subsidy, please contact:
Carol-Ann Harkness at 705-722-3132 x1164