How do I make my childcare payments?

Faith Infant and Early Education Centre do Pre-authorized Debits from your bank account. A form will be given to you upon registration in which the information given will be added to the centre’s accounting system. Parents can choose between the 1st or the 15th or an equal split between the two dates. There is a $50 NSF charge for payments that are returned, and they must then be paid within 5 business days.

How can I donate to the centre on behalf of my family?

Donations, whether by cash, cheque or through our website, are always welcome. We accept donations from past and present families, community members, and corporations. Those who would like to donate to our fundraising initiatives can visit the Fundraising page at the top of the page. There, you will find a list of the current fundraising events, and you can donate as little or as much as you like.

Anyone wanting to donate should check with their employer prior to doing so. Many corporations have a matching program in which a donation of $500 would yield the centre $1000. Benevity is one that many corporations use to match donations. It is certainly a faster way for the centre to reach it goal!

What is the $10 per day program?

The Ford government announced in March 2022 that the province had signed an agreement for $10 per day of child care, better known as Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC). Faith Infant and Early Education applied in July 2022 and was accepted into this program.

This program is for children 5 years of age and under.  CWELCC does not apply to children attending the School Age program unless they are attending Junior or Senior kindergarten at the school board level and meet the age requirement.

Important Dates:

• July 18, 2022 - Faith Infant and Early Education Centre enrolled in the program.

• October 11, 2022 - Funding was received by the Region, which was used to refund parents up to 25% for fees paid retroactively from April 1, 2022. 

• November 4, 2022 - Refunds were given to all families that qualified, including families receiving childcare fee subsidies with a reduction in fees from York Region. 

 January 1, 2023:

• Families will pay the posted base rates, which a total of 52.75% has reduced.

• Base rate fees cannot be less than $12 per day at this time. 

• Families receiving childcare fee subsidies will have their parent contribution reduced by the Region by a total of 50% with no floor of $12 per day. 

• Childcare fees for families receiving fee subsidies will continue to be calculated at a monthly rate for payment to the Centre.

 January 1, 2024:

• There is no reduction for 2024. Fees will remain at 2023 CWELCC reduced rates.

May 7, 2024:

• The Ministry of Education announced that the existing revenue replacement approach to CWELCC funding will remain in place until December 31, 2024.

• A new, cost-based CWELCC funding approach will come into effect in January 2025. 

June 3 to September 11, 2024:

• The Ministry of Education sent out a Memorandum to its Child Care and Early Years Partners regarding ‘Consulting with Ontario Families.’  This memorandum was sent to all current families of the Centre in hopes that they would complete the survey that was open until June 24, 2024.

• As of August 15, 2024, The Ministry of Education has informed the municipalities that childcare base fees will be capped at $22 per day, effective January 1, 2025. The Ministry is required to consult with the sector for at least 45 days. At this time, it is uncertain how this will roll out.

• The new funding approach described in the new Cost-Based Funding will take effect on January 1, 2025. Cost-based funding provides support for operating costs for licensees participating in CWELCC, which provides child care to children aged 0-5.

• An email received from the Ministry of Education stated that they recognize that the implementation of the CWELCC system is a significant undertaking and appreciate your commitment as we transition to a new funding approach – one that is sustainable and responsive to childcare cost structures to support affordable child care system and its growth.

December 3, 2024:

An email was received from the York Region Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) System stating the following …

• Effective January 1, 2025, daily fees are capped at $22 per day for eligible children.  For families paying below $22 per day after the 52.75% reduction, their fees will remain unchanged.  This applies to full-fee families with children attending programs enrolled in the CWELCC system.  For programs that offer extended day options, the maximum a family can be charged is $22 per day per eligible child (i.e. Before and after kindergarten).  No families can be charged more than $22 per day per eligible child, effective January 1, 2025

• As a reminder, eligible children are children 5 years of age and younger.  A child that turns 6 years of age prior to June 30th will receive the CWELCC rate until June 30th.  A child that turns 6 prior to December 31st will receive the CWELCC rate until December 31st.

December 13, 2024:

• Upon receiving the 2025 Purchase of Service Agreement from York Region Children’s Services, it was noted on Schedule G that in addition to the $22 per cap for CWELCC-eligible children, children attending school-age programs that are turning 6 years of age will have fees capped at $12 per day as of January 1, 2025

 As we get more information, it will be communicated and updated.

Current fees are posted under the Program Fee tab of the website.

CWELCC fees are only applicable to children 5 years of age and under.

How do I help my child adjust to child care?

The centre has adopted an adjustment schedule for children from infants to kindergarten.

• Monday: 9 to 11 am

• Tuesday: 9 to 11 am

• Wednesday: 9 am to 12 noon

• Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm

• Friday: Full day of care (first day charged)

This adjustment schedule greatly assists your child in integrating into the centre on a consistent and gradual basis. We find that this makes their adjustment faster while not having to be at the centre full days from the start. This is also applicable to children who have been in care elsewhere due to it then becoming a new environment for them to adjust to.

If a different arrangement is made to transition a child, the first day charged is always their first full day whether it is on a Wednesday or a Friday. Following the schedule above is what works best for all children and helps them to settle into a positive routine usually with their first month of care.

Why does my child have to go outside?

All children benefit from spending time outside in all sorts of weather. According to the Child Care and Early Years Act, children are required to spend a minimum of 2 hours per day outside. Our cut-off temperature for the summer is 30 degrees with the humidex and common sense. For the colder months, it is minus 20 degrees with wind chill and common sense. Parents are to ensure that they dress their children for the weather each and every day. Even in the rain, the children may go outside for a little bit of time so additional clothing is always needed at the centre as well. We do not have additional staff to remain inside with one or two children; therefore, all children go outside. If your child is not well enough to go outside, they are to remain at home.

What if my child is not feeling well?

Children are not permitted to attend if they are not feeling well. This includes but is not limited to having a temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or a combination of cold symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, congestion, etc. They must be able to participate fully in the program, which includes spending time outside as well. If your child takes ill while in care, you will be contacted for immediate pick-up.

Children must be 24 hours symptom-free before returning to the centre. What this means is that once they are well, you are to wait for one full day and then they can return to the centre.

Is there a withdrawal policy?

Yes. If you are receiving Child Care Fee Assistance through the Regional Municipality of York, you are required to give 10 days’ written notice of withdrawal. If you are a family paying the full fee, 30 days written notice is required if you would like a refund of the advance payment.

We are going on vacation for 3 weeks. Do I get a refund for my fees?

The centre does not refund any fees, partial or otherwise, based on time away from the centre. This could be due to a family vacation, childhood illness or centre closure. Simply put … you are paying for their seat in the classroom whether or not they are sitting in it.

I have noticed video cameras but have not been told how I can watch my child at the centre?

The centre has 5 video cameras set up at the centre for security purposes only. The cameras monitor the front entrance, the church entrance on the main floor, the playground entrance, the back door employee entrance and the church entrance upstairs. These cameras are not for monitoring the Faith staff or the children.

I have noticed that the centre is attached to a church. Is the centre Catholic or has an affiliation with the church?

Faith Infant and Early Education Centre is located adjacent to the Richmond Hill Community Church however are separate corporations. The centre has a great working relationship with the church however it is not affiliated with them. We do, however, borrow the sanctuary from time to time for centre events and rent three classrooms from them for our school-age program.

The centre is not Catholic. Faith Infant and Early Education is a non-profit, charitable, Christian organization. We focus on faith in God, believe in the Holy Bible, and teach the children RESPECT in all things. The children will say grace prior to eating, will talk about Bible stories at meeting time, listen to praise and worship music and prepare concerts at times such as Christmas and Easter that focus on the birth of Jesus as well as His death and resurrection. Families can choose to opt-out of the Christian aspect of the program however, if the child chooses to participate then we will honour their choice.