More Information
Program Summary
The District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board (DTSSAB) is responsible for the oversight and the administration of the child care and early years system as designated by the Province of Ontario and as legislated in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA). The Children’s Services staff are responsible for determining eligibility for fee subsidies for parents, quality assurance of licensed child care programs and special needs resourcing, licensed home child care, administration of funding for licensed child care programs, EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres, and special needs resourcing.
We are proud to encourage and support programs in the provision of culturally relevant and responsive services through culture, language and music.
Timiskaming District programs value children as competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. They see families as belonging, valuable contributors to their children’s learning, and deserve to be engaged in a meaningful way. Educators are knowledgeable, caring, reflective and resourceful professionals. They are valuable contributors engaged in meaningful work.
Within the District of Timiskaming, child care and early years programs include :
Licensed full day child care programs,
Licensed Early Learning School Readiness Programs, (may be included in full day programs)
Home Child Care
Licensed Before and After School Programs, and
EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres with a variety of sites
Supports for children with special needs through the Community Living Resource Program
Supports for families and providers
The DTSSAB provides support to families and providers through:
Investing in and supporting licensed child care operators and EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centre Providers
Providing financial assistance for fee subsidy for families who qualify under the provincial income test
Planning for the future of early year services based on the needs of the community
Enhancing the quality of early years programs through the quality assurance program
Providing funding for special needs resourcing for children with special needs
Our support includes:
Fee Subsidy
The DTSSAB provides fee assistance to the Non-Profit Child Care Service Providers on behalf of families in need as determined by a provincial income test towards the cost of licensed child care. Families may apply for fee assistance eligibility by contacting the Children’s Services Department - see Applying for Child Care Fee Subsidy . Some examples of families who may qualify for fee assistance may include the following:
parents with current employment
parents may be students
parents with children who have special needs
parents who have special needs
parents with medical restrictions from working and caring for children and other exceptional circumstances
Wage Enhancements
Child care wage enhancement funding is available to eligible child care program staff whose positions can be counted toward adult to child ratios under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 working in all licensed child care centres and home child care agencies.
The wage enhancement is provided to increase salaries and benefits of eligible program staff working in licensed child care centres and home visitors employed by a home child care agency.
Application forms for wage subsidy will be posted on an annual basis. Programs will be notified of dates for completion.
Special Needs Resourcing
Special Needs Resourcing services are available across the District of Timiskaming in all licensed child care centres through referrals made by health professionals such as Physicians, Speech Pathologist, Community Living, Occupational Therapist, etc. All referrals must include a signed parental consent. The Special Needs Resourcing service provider will work with the family and program to develop a program plan that meets the special needs of their child. There are no extra costs involved with the service.
EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres
EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres offer a variety of FREE programs and services. for children from birth to 6 years of age, and to support parents and caregivers in their roles.
Timiskaming’s EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres are operated as a Collaborative by Centre pour enfants Timiskaming Child Care, Keepers of the Circle and Centre de santé Communautaire du Temiskaming.
Centres are welcoming places that offer culturally proficient services which include:
fun activities – reading, storytelling, sing-alongs, games and more
advice from professionals trained in early childhood development
find out about other family services in your community
connect with other families with young children
EarlyON / ON y va Child and Family Centres are located throughout the district with main sites in Kirkland Lake, Englehart and Haileybury and satellite sites in Cobalt, New Liskeard, Dymond, Kearns, Earlton, Larder Lake and Swastika. Indigenous EarlyON programming is delivered Keepers of the Circle at their Kirkland lake and New Liskeard sites. Hours of operation vary by site. More information is available on the three partners’ Facebook pages and websites..
Early Learning School Readiness Program
The Early Learning School Readiness Program (ELSRP) is a 2.5 hour program for children who will be attending school in September. The children will have the opportunity to develop important skills in self-regulation, positive relationship-building, language and communication development as well as a foundational understanding of the kindergarten approach to learning. School Readiness will help significantly improve the child’s success at school and actively engage parents in their child’s learning. The program aims to foster independence, considering children’s development needs, interests, school readiness, culture and language.
Quality Assurance
Licensed child care settings in Ontario are regulated by the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 to ensure high standards of safety and quality and must meet certain criteria including:
maximum group size and ratios for staff and children in care
staff qualifications
policies and procedures to support health, safety and well-being of children in care.
The DTSSAB does however complete quality assurance assessments with all licensed programs. This includes regular visits to programs, mentoring child care staff and supervisors, ensuring programs comply with Ministry regulations, planning of additional services within the district, and planning and providing professional learning opportunities for staff and supervisors.
Licensed child care programs employ qualified Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) who are members of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
RECEs, trained in child development, curriculum development and child guidance, pursue ongoing professional education and are engaged and guided by their Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Licensed home child care agencies have carefully screened, approved and supported caregivers who keep current with early childhood education development issues and trends. Learn more about licensed home-based child care.
Timiskaming District programs value children as competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential. They see families as belonging, valuable contributors to their children’s learning, and deserve to be engaged in a meaningful way. Educators are knowledgeable, caring, reflective and resourceful professionals. They are valuable contributors engaged in meaningful work.
Learn more about How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.
Directory of Providers for the Timiskaming District
Kirkland Lake
Garderie Francofleur et Miel: 705-568-6565
Keepers of the Circle Aboriginal Family Learning Centre: 1-855-647-7874
Second Street Day Care Centre/ Queen Street Site: 705-567-4225
Second Street day Care Centre/ Government Road Site: 705-567-6930
Englehart and Earlton
Englehart and Area Child Care Centre: 705-544-2448
Little Learners Child Care Centre: 705-544-2198
Garderie d’Earlton: 705-563-2135
Temiskaming Shores
Centre pour enfants Timiskaming Child Care Centre: 705-672-2100
(Licensed centre-based and home child care)
Keepers of the Circle Aboriginal Family Learning Centre: 1-855-647-7874
(Scott Street Site, Hospital Site, Home Child Care)
New Liskeard Stepping Stones Day Care Centre: 705-647-8816