What is this?
The Region of Waterloo is creating a new Early Years and Child Care System Plan (2027-2031).
This System Plan will guide how licensed early years and child care services grow and improve across Waterloo Region over the next five years. It will outline what the current system looks like, where there are gaps, and what priorities should shape future decisions.
Children's Services is leading this work as part of the Region's commitment to building a child care system that is accessible, equitable, and high quality.
As the local service system manager, the Region is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supporting the early years and child care in Waterloo Region.
Take the Early Years and Child Care parent survey!
You can take the Early Years and Child Care survey.
If you are a parent or caregiver, your feedback will help Children’s Services better understand what matters most to families and where changes or improvements may be needed. Survey responses will be kept confidential, which means your name and identity will not be connected to your answers.
You may also have opportunities to share your views through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and in-person or online engagement sessions over the coming months.
Your answers will be confidential, meaning your name an identity will not be connected to your answers. See the survey for more details about the questions and confidentiality.
If you have any questions about the survey or need it in another format, please contact Amber Robertson at arobertson@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519-577-9613.
How your feedback will be used
Your feedback will help Children’s Services to better understand local needs, priorities, and identify changes or improvements.. Feedback will be incorporated in the System Plan, which will be launched in 2027.
Why does the System Plan matter?
Early years and child care services play an important role in children’s development, learning, health, and well-being. They also support families, strengthen communities, and help parents and caregivers take part in work, education, and daily life.
This System Plan matters because it will help the Region:
- understand what families and service providers need most
- identify gaps and barriers in the current system
- set priorities for improvement
- support a child care system that reflects the diversity of the community
- help create better opportunities for children and families across Waterloo Region
The System Plan will guide future decisions and actions so the local early years and child care system can better respond to community needs.
How the System Plan is being developed
To create the System Plan, Children's Services is:
- reviewing data and completing an environmental scan
- gathering feedback from families, providers, educators, and community partners
- identify common themes and emerging priorities
- working with the early years and child care sector to review and confirm priorities and actions
What stage is the System Plan at?
The System Plan is currently in development. From April to September 2026, Children's Services is gathering information and feedback from the community to help shape the System Plan.
This includes engagement with:
- families
- child care operators, service providers, and educators
- researchers
- community partners
- school boards
- businesses and employers
- local municipalities
Additional engagement is also taking place with:
- Special Needs Resourcing partners
- EarlyON programs, including the Indigenous-led EarlyON Family Centre
- local school boards
- Region of Waterloo staff who work in Children's Services
This feedback, along with data analysis and research, will help identify key themes, priorities, and actions for the System Plan. It is expected to be finalized and launched in 2027.
Working together for children and families
By taking a thoughtful, long-term approach and working closely with partners, the Region is helping to build a stronger early years and child care system for Waterloo Region.
The goal is to support children and families by improving access to high-quality services and creating a system where all children have the opportunity to thrive.
