Information on Childcare and Daycare Options
As a student parent, so much of what you do is fueled by your commitment to and love for your child(ren). To succeed in your academic career, you will need peace of mind that your child is always in a safe space, with people who care for them as well as you would. Child care programs and services allow parents to fully attend to their responsibilities, while trained professionals care for and supervise their child(ren). You may choose any childcare service provider that supports your family’s needs, and you will find options both on-campus and off campus.
Important: Child care spaces can be limited. International student families are encouraged to begin their search and join waitlists as early as possible.
If you still have more questions after reviewing this page, please make an appointment with the family advisor, Deepika Vashisth, at ddeepika@mun.ca
What are the different types of childcare options in Newfoundland?
How do I search all the childcare options in Newfoundland?
What are the options for on and off-campus child care?
What is the cost of child care in Newfoundland?
Am I eligible for Child Care Services Subsidy Program?
Types of Child Care
There are two different kinds of childcare facilities here in Newfoundland. One is centre-based childcare, and the other is family childcare.
- Child Care Centres: At centre-based care facilities, children are taken care of in a designated childcare centre, which is regulated by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Family Child Care Home: In family child care, children are brought to a caregiver’s home. Family childcare can be either regulated or unregulated.
Search options for childcare
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Education and Early Childhood Development Department maintains a searchable, map-based database of all the regulated child care services in the province. The registry includes both the child care centres and family home child care listings. We recommend you research several daycare facilities to compare the services and fees. For more information, click here.
- Search by Map: You may use the zoom features on the map, or use the Route or Community search options.
- Child Care Centres by Name: If you are searching for a particular childcare centre, please search by name.
- Search by Your Child's Age: You may search by entering your child’s month and year of birth.
- Family Child Care Agencies: You can search for regulated Family Child Care homes licensed through FCCC.
- Early Learning Gateway: You can search for regulated child care centres and family child care homes, and can add child(ren) to waitlists.
On and Off-Campus Child Care Options
MUN Childcare Centre: It is located centrally on campus. Campus childcare houses four separate childcare centres within the same building. Each centre is staffed with qualified, experienced, caring people.
- Toddlers Centre (Age 2)
- Preschool 1 (Ages 3–6)
- Preschool 2 (Ages 3–6)
- Activity Centre (Ages 4-12)
For their website, click here. To add your child to the waitlist, please visit the Provincial Early Learning Gateway. Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions to get better acquainted with the centre. Please note: Waitlists can be long at the MUN Childcare Centre, and you will not be guaranteed a spot upon arrival.
Off-Campus Childcare: The above-mentioned Early Learning and Childcare Directory options may be used to explore the different facilities available. The centre-based childcare facilities that are located in St. John’s may offer greater convenience to student parents who are based on the St. John’s campus.
To enrol/add your child to the waitlist, please see the information below about the Early Learning Gateway.
Early Learning Gateway: The Early Learning Gateway is Newfoundland and Labrador's centralised child care portal that allows families to search for regulated child care services and join waitlists online.
To access this service, you must:
- Be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador; and
- Have a valid MCP; or
- Have a valid Government of Newfoundland and Labrador-issued Driver’s License or Photo ID.
Out of Province Parents/Guardians
Out of Province Parents/guardians seeking child care in Newfoundland and Labrador will use the following form:
Financing Child Care
The expenses of child care need to be factored into your decision-making. So, please ensure that you get all the information concerning the fees you will pay for your child to secure and keep a space at a childcare facility. You may need to pay for all the days your child is enrolled - even when absent.
Operating Grant Program
Local daycare centres charge between $30-$60+ per day, depending on your child's age and the type of care required. You may discover that most child care centres are participating in the Operating Grant Program (OGP), and those centres will not charge more than $10/day. Participation in the OGP has increased significantly in NL. There are more than 97% of all regulated child care services are participating in the program. More information can be found here.
Child Care Services Subsidy Program
If you foresee or encounter difficulties with affording the child care expenses, you may apply for financial assistance from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Child Care Services Subsidy Program. This is an income-tested program, which means that your family’s financial status will be verified and assessed to determine your ability to afford the fees at a regulated childcare facility. If your family is found eligible for assistance, the subsidy will be determined by the level of need. The child care fee may be eliminated or minimised and will be paid directly to the child care service provider on behalf of your family. The full subsidy may be granted to applicants with a net family income of $35,000, and a partial subsidy may be available if your net family income is higher than $35,000. For more information, click here. For the subsidy application form, click here.
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