Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to our most commonly received questions about what we offer at OPCC. Find details on our licensed childcare offerings, EarlyON programming, outdoor classes, and more. Have a question you can’t find below? Send us a message, we’ll be happy to answer!

Program Questions

Do I need to register before attending a program?

Registration is required for the majority of our programming. All families must, however, create an account to sign in before they attend. This helps keep attendance organized and helps us prepare the right level of support, materials, and supplies for each program. To sign up, please visit our registration page.

EarlyON drop-in programs don’t require pre-registration; simply make an account, and come say hello!

Do you offer infant childcare?

The answer depends on the program. All EarlyON programs are free to attend with your child, while other registered or fee-for-service programs may have a cost depending on the program type. For more details on costs, visit the program page you’re interested in.

How do I know which program is right for my child’s age?

Each program is designed for a specific age range and stage of development. If your child falls outside the listed age group, that program may not be the right fit, so it’s best to follow the age guidance shown on each program listing.

If you’re unsure, feel free to send us a message, and we can help you determine whether the class is the right fit for your child.

Do I stay with my child during the program?

For EarlyON and Child Development programs, caregivers participate with their children during the program.

Other programs, including licensed childcare, follow their own program structure. Each program page will provide details, including whether parents or caregivers stay with their children during the program.

Do I need to live in Oakville to attend?

No – everyone is welcome at the Oakville Parent-Child Centre! You don’t need to be an Oakville resident to attend our programs.

What if a program is full?

If you are on the correct registration page and the program no longer appears as an option, that usually means it is full.

Unfortunately, we only offer waitlists for our licensed childcare programs.

How can I see what programs are running now?

You can check the program calendar and current schedule on our website to see what’s running and find details for each program.

Can you help me choose the right program?

Absolutely! Send us a message, and we can help with choosing a program, understanding registration, or finding the best fit based on your child’s age and family needs.

Early Learning at Home Questions

Do I need to register to access Early Learning at Home resources?

Yes, you will need an OPCC account to borrow Early Learning at Home items. Once your account has been created, you can sign in, select “Sign Out an Early Learning at Home” Item, choose your resource, and complete the checkout steps online.

How do I sign out a take-home kit or park pass?

After creating your OPCC account, sign in and follow the borrowing steps through the Early Learning at Home system. Under “Please Select Resource”, choose the item you would like to borrow, then click “Checkout” and follow the instructions to complete your sign-out.

How do I know which program is right for my child’s age?

Each household can borrow up to 2 take-home kits, or 1 Parks pass and 1 take-home kit during a 2-week lending period. The lending period begins from the time the item is checked out online, so it is helpful to pick up your items as soon as possible to make the most of the borrowing window.

How long can I keep a take-home kit or pass?

Early Learning at Home items are borrowed for a 2-week lending period starting from the time they are checked out online. Because the borrowing window begins right away, we encourage families to pick up their items promptly.

What ages are these resources designed for?

Many Early Learning at Home resources are designed for young children in the early years, with options varying from ages 18 months to 6 years of age. Specific kits may be better suited to certain stages of development, interests, or family needs, so families can choose the options that best match their child.

How do I know which learning kit is right for my child?

Families can choose kits based on their child’s age, interests, and stage of development, as well as the kind of support they are looking for at home. Some kits focus more on literacy, movement, mindfulness, or science, while others support parenting topics and family routines.

How can I see what programs are running now?

All items must be picked up and returned at OPCC’s main location at 461 North Service Rd W, Unit 17, Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Please keep in mind that weekend pickups or drop-offs will move to the following Monday.

What if a kit or pass isn’t available?

If the take home kit or pass you want doesn’t appear as an option when you sign in, it’s likely already checked out or temporarily unavailable. Because availability changes as items are returned, we recommend checking back again later to see if the item has become available, as we don’t have a waitlist for our kits.

Are the items cleaned between borrows?

Yes. All items are sanitized when they are returned. This helps keep materials ready for the next family to use and supports a safe borrowing process.

What happens if an item is missing or broken?

Members are responsible for the replacement or repair of items they sign out. Each resource kit includes a parts list for reference, and families should let the administrative team know if anything is missing or broken when the item is returned.

Do I need to provide a credit card to borrow an item?

Yes. At the time of pickup, families are required to provide a credit card to keep on file. The card will only be charged if an item is missing, broken, or not returned.

Are these resources only for learning indoors?

No. Early Learning at Home includes both indoor and outdoor options. Families can borrow take-home kits for activities at home or sign out a park pass to support outdoor exploration and learning.

Outdoor Program Questions

Are the programs drop-off only?

All summer camp and PA day programs are drop-off programming.

Our Travelling Scientist program, however, is for children and their parent/caregiver to participate in together.

What happens if the weather isn’t ideal for an outdoor program?

Safety comes first. OPCC’s extreme weather policy allows educators to use indoor spaces when needed.

How do I know if the program is right for my child’s age?

Each program is designed for a specific age range and stage of development. If your child falls outside the listed age guidance, the program may not be the right fit. The Forest & Nature programs are designed for children 4-9 years of age.

What happens if a program is full?

If you are on the correct registration page and the program no longer appears as an option, that usually means it is full. We do offer a waitlist for our programs in case a space becomes available.

What ages are these resources designed for?

OPCC requires 5 days’ notice for cancellations. Make-up classes and refunds are not offered for missed classes due to illness or vacation.

Licensed Childcare Questions

Program Eligibility and Ages

What ages are your licensed childcare programs for?

We offer licensed childcare for toddlers and preschool-aged children. Our full-day toddler program is for children 18 to 30 months, and our half-day and full-day preschool programs are for children 2.5 to 5 years.

Do you offer infant childcare?

Unfortunately, we don’t currently offer infant childcare. Our licensed childcare programs begin with the toddler program, so families looking for care earlier would need to explore other options first.

We do offer limited underage spots; see more details below.

Do you offer underage spots?

We do have limited space in our childcare programs for children who are under 18 months for the toddler program or under 2.5 years for the preschool program. If a space becomes available and your child would qualify for an underage space, we will reach out to you.

Location, Hours, and Scheduling

Where is the childcare centre?

Oakville Parent-Child Centre has two locations for our daycare programs. Our full-day licensed childcare program is located at our main location, 461 North Service Rd W, Unit 17, and our half-day preschool program is located at our satellite location, 481 North Service Rd W, Unit 25.

What are the operating hours?

Our full-day licensed childcare program runs from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and our half-day program runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. These consistent hours help children settle into a regular routine and make planning easier for families.

Are your part-time spaces set days, or can families choose which days they attend?

Our part-time spaces are set days rather than flexible scheduling options. The 2-day program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the 3-day program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, which keeps routines predictable for both children and families.

Daily Experience and Care

What type of activities will my child do in the program?

Children take part in age-appropriate activities and learning invitations that support learning through play, social interaction, movement, creativity, exploration, and everyday routines.

Our programs are shaped by children’s developmental stages and interests, creating engaging and supportive environments where children can build communication, confidence, independence and creativity through meaningful hands-on experiences.

Do children nap during the program?

Yes, children in our full-day program have a nap or quiet time during the day.

If a child doesn’t nap or isn’t able to, they spend the first hour resting quietly on their cot and the second hour doing a quiet activity at the table, which helps maintain a calm, daily rhythm.

Do you have an outdoor space, and how often do children go outside?

Yes, we have a dedicated outdoor space for our centre. Children in our full day program usually go outside twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for about an hour each time. Children in our half-day program do not go outside.

Outdoor play is part of the regular routine across all seasons, although children stay indoors when weather conditions are considered extreme or unsafe.

What is the staff-to-child ratio?

Ministyr of Education requirements demand a ratio of 1 educator for every 8 preschool children and 1 educator for every 5 toddler children.

At OPCC, we typically staff above ratio whenever possible, allowing for additional support for children, more responsive interactions throughout the day, and increased opportunities for meaningful small group experiences and connections with educators.

Meals

Are meals and snacks provided?

Yes. Lunch and two snacks are provided each day for children in the full-day program. This is included as part of the program and helps simplify daily planning for families.
In our half-day program, a nutritious snack is offered.

Mealtimes provide children with opportunities to see and learn from their peers. When children observe others enjoying a variety of foods, they may be more likely to try new foods themselves, helping to broaden their food preferences and build a more diverse palate over time.

Where do meals and snacks come from?

Meals and snacks are provided through Real Food For Real Kids. This company provides healthy meals for all of our children, and offers alternatives for various dietary restrictions.

Fees

What is included in the monthly fee?

The monthly fee includes your child’s scheduled program attendance, along with learning materials and daily program experiences. Children attending our full day programs receive lunch and two snacks each day, while children in our half day program are provided with a morning snack. All snacks and meals are served with filtered water.

Are rates listed on the website before or after CWELCC?

The rates shown on the website are listed after CWELCC has been applied.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes. We accept fee subsidy through Halton Region, and our programs also participate in CWELCC, which reduces fees for all families in eligible programs. Families who may qualify for additional support can contact Halton Region to learn more about eligibility.

Waitlist and Registration

How do I add my child to the waitlist?

To add your child to the waitlist, log in or register for your account and select Licensed Programs, then Waitlisted Programs. From there, you can choose the appropriate option from the drop-down menu and submit your request.

What is the typical waitlist time right now?

Wait times can vary depending on the child’s age, the program selected, and current availability. One of the biggest factors affecting movement on the waitlist is that many children are waiting for future placement once the child reaches the appropriate age group, which can make timelines difficult to predict and subject to change.

Newcomers Program Questions

What is discussed in the Welcome Home Program?

Sessions focus on topics that help families feel more supported and connected as they settle into a new community.

Recent topics have included life as newcomer parents, child development and early learning, transitions to daycare and school, early intervention and community support, mental wellness for families, and opportunities to connect socially with other families.

Are the classes offered in a specific order?

Not necessarily. We’ve recently adjusted the program to give families more flexibility, and upcoming sessions are available as one-off topics, rather than a series in a particular order.

This way, you can choose to attend sessions that feel most relevant to you and don’t have to worry about coming in at the right time.

Do I need to attend every session?

Families don’t need to attend every session to benefit from the program – instead, join the sessions that you find most relevant.

We do recommend that if you are looking to build connections, attending more sessions gives you more opportunities to connect with others who share your experience.

Can I start at any session?

Yes. Families can begin with the session that works best for them, rather than waiting for the beginning of a full series. This flexible approach is being used to make the program easier to access for more families.

Is the Welcome Home Program free?

Yes. The Welcome Home program is fully funded by the United Way and EarlyON. Like all EarlyON programs, this is free for families to attend with their children.

Do I need to register before attending a program?

Registration is required for most programs. This helps keep attendance organized, ensures the correct adults and children are connected to each visit, and helps us prepare the right level of support, materials, and supplies for each session. To register, click here.

Do I need to live in Oakville to attend?

No. You do not need to be an Oakville resident to attend OPCC programs – all are welcome.

Is this program only for immigrants?

No. This program is for families who are new to the area, including those new to Canada and those who have recently moved to the Oakville community. Our focus is on helping families build connections, find support, and feel more at home locally, no matter where they originally came from.