Wee Watch Guelph/Wellington is starting 2025 off with exciting new developments for parents. The organization has new childcare providers joining this month, which will mean additional spots opening up in Guelph and likely some in Fergus too.
Wee Watch has been operating since 1984, helping parents find loving and safe home childcare spaces through their network of 44 non-profit agencies and 1,300 licensed homes across the province. All of the providers are screened and have first aid and CPR, and all adults in the home daycares have had a criminal reference check and medical check done.
Wee Watch also has R.E.C.E. Home Visitors that visit with providers and children at least once a month unannounced to check on the safety and cleanliness of the home, the activities, the programming, and more. For the childcare providers, they also offer support to start up their business by helping with some daycare equipment to open their home.
The organization matches their parents and providers based on wants, desires, and needs. “It needs to be a match for both the parents and the provider,” says Anita Compston, area supervisor for Wee Watch Guelph/Wellington.
Parents appreciate the smaller group ratios that come with home childcare, which offers more one-on-one attention and closer relationships. The family providing childcare often becomes an extension to the child’s family.
When Wee Watch celebrated their 40th anniversary in August of last year, Anita recalls one of their toddler clients seeing her childcare provider at the party, dropping her mom’s hand, and running right into the arms of the provider. “Seeing that connection that the kids have and the providers have— she was super excited,” Anita says.
Anita says that a meaningful part of her job is seeing mothers earn an income and being able to run their own childcare business through Wee Watch. With long waitlists for care in Wellington right now, she finds satisfaction and joy in helping mothers find the right childcare fit for their family.
“For a first-time mom starting daycare and going back to work, it can be overwhelming to leave your child with somebody else. So being able to meet that person and pick the provider and the home that they want— and sometimes having a home that’s similar to theirs in culture, setup or parenting style; it’s the best of both worlds,” says Anita.
This month is when the Ontario government’s new plan to cap parent fees at $22 per day has kicked in. For parents, this will hopefully mean extra-affordable childcare. As for finding a spot in the area, that’s where Wee Watch Guelph/Wellington can help out.
For more information, contact (519) 830-3032 or visit them online here.