More than 100 new registered home childcare spaces added in Guelph-Wellington

WELLINGTON COUNTY — Accessing registered home childcare just got a little easier in Guelph and Wellington County. 

Presenting an update on Wellington Home Child Care at a Joint Land Ambulance and Social Services Committee meeting earlier this month, director of children's early years Mandy Koroniak revealed 18 new registered home childcare providers have been added in Guelph, Erin and Guelph/Eramosa thanks to a summer recruitment campaign. 

According to Koroniak, the campaign is a part of continuous efforts from the county to increase the number of registered active home childcare providers after numbers decreased from 45 in March 2020 to 27 in December 2022 during the pandemic when several providers left the system. 

It's anticipated there will be 54 active homes by the end of 2024- adding 108 spaces for up to six children under the age of 13 across Guelph and Wellington County. 

Before the campaign, there were 36 active homes in April 2024. Forty four are currently active across Guelph-Wellington. 

Inquiries also "significantly increased" during the campaign- surging from eight in 2023 to 38 in 2024 over the same period. 

"(Having more registered home childcare providers) provides more access to licensed childcare generally, as well as access for families to reduced parent fees under the CWELCC System, child care fee subsidies, and supports for the inclusion of children with special needs," said Koroniak, in an emailed statement. 

Koroniak also spoke about the employment benefits of becoming a registered home childcare provider including "professional learning supports" from the county and access to home childcare advisors. 

"Operating a licensed home childcare program also gives providers the opportunity for self-employment while supporting families in their community," said Koroniak. 

Looking to the future, Koroniak said the county continues to work to increase the availability of licensed childcare options in Wellington and Guelph.

While any growth is supported, Koroniak said they "especially welcome interest" from prospective providers in Wellington North, Mapleton, Minto and Puslinch where access rates are lowest.  

As of October 2024, Guelph has gained seven providers- increasing from 25 to 32. 

In Wellington County, Erin's numbers surged from zero to two and Guelph Eramosa went up from one provider to two. 

While home to the most active licensed childcare providers in the county with seven active providers, Centre Wellington actually lost one provider between April 2024 and October 2024. 

Mapleton, Minto, Wellington North and Puslinch were the least successful and gained no new providers. Wellington North and Minto each have one active provider; Puslinch and Mapleton have none. 

The campaign was funded by $20,000 from the Children’s Early Years 2024 budget. 

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.