1. YMCA – Durdan/Loretto Early Learning & Care Centre
- 📍 Location: 6855 Kalar Rd, Niagara Falls (Durdan/Loretto)
- 📞 Contact: (905) 354‑4555
- 📧 Email: Available via YMCA site contact
- 🌐 Website: [YMCA of Niagara Early Learning & Care Locations]YMCA of Niagara+1District School Board of Niagara+1
- 👶 Ages: Infants to preschool (0–4 yrs) + school-age before/after care
- ⏰ Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM; school‑age before & after hours vary by locationA Child’s World
- Slots: Register via Niagara Region’s OneList (child care registry)
- 💰 Price (2025 CWELCC Rates):
- Infant/full-day ~$22, Toddler/Preschool ~$21.26, JK/SK ~$19.10, school-age full-day ~$42.45
- 📝 Reviews: YMCA centres are known for licensed curriculum and consistency
2. YMCA – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Centre
- 📍 Location: 6525 Carlton Ave, Niagara Falls
- 📞 Contact: (905) 357‑6525
- 📐 Same programme, hours, eligibility and registration as above
- 💰 Same CWELCC rate structure applies
3. Sweet Love Childcare Centre INC
- 📍 Location: 5 Walnut St, Niagara-on-the-Lake (serves Falls area)
- 📞 Contact: (289) 868‑7961
- 📧 Email: info@sweetlovechildcare.ca
- 🌐 Website: [daycareniagarafalls.ca]
- 👶 Ages: Toddler through Preschool (ages approx. 18 mo+)
- ⏰ Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Slots: Contact directly via website or phone
- 💰 Price: Not published; likely comparable to local centre rates (~$22/day)
- 📝 Reviews: Emphasizes nurturing, small-group care and parent communication via HiMama app
4. Niagara Nursery School & Child Care Centre
- 📍 Location: Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake, serving broader Niagara Falls region
- 📞 Contact: Via registry (support@onehsn.com or 1‑888‑722‑1540)Fable Theme+9Niagara Region+9Niagara Region+9
- 📐 Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM full day; nursery 9:00–11:30 AM; before/after care available
- 👶 Ages: 18 mo – 6 yrs
- 📋 Slots: OneList registration required
- 💰 Price: Contact centre; CWELCC subsidies apply
- 📝 Reviews: Praised for emergent curriculum, experienced educators, and holistic learning philosophy
5. A Child’s World – Family Child Care Services (Niagara Falls sites)
- 📞 Contact: (905) 735‑1162
- 📧 Email: info@acw.on.ca
- 🌐 Website: [acw.on.ca]Niagara Nursery School+3A Child’s World+3Niagara Catholic+3
- 👶 Ages: 0–6 yrs (infant, toddler, preschool, JK/SK)
- ⏰ Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
- 📋 Slots: Apply through Niagara Region OneList
- 💰 Price (CWELCC rates): Infant/Toddler $22; Preschool $18.66; JK/SK half day $12; before/after school $9–$12A Child’s World
- 📝 Reviews: Established provider with stable staff and strong reputation
6. EarlyON Child & Family Centre – Kate S Durdan Public School
- 📍 Location: 6855 Kalar Rd, Niagara Falls (Kate S Durdan School)
- 📞 Contact: (905) 356‑0488
- 🌐 Website: DSBN EarlyON Child & Family Centres
- 👶 Ages: Infants to 6 yrs (drop-in program, not registered daycare)
- ⏰ Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:00 PM & 1:00 PM–4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- 📋 Slots: Drop-in, no advance registration
- 💰 Price: Free, parent-child participation
- 📝 Reviews: Friendly and educational community hub
7. Strive Niagara Daycare at Catholic Schools (Niagara Falls)
- 📍 Location: Strive Niagara centres located in Niagara Falls Catholic schools (e.g., St Gabriel Lalemant, St John Henry Newman schools)
- 📐 Ages: Typically school‑age (7–12 yrs)
- ⏰ Hours: Before-school, after-school care, and PA day/full-day when available
- 📋 Slots: Register via OneList
- 💰 Price: CWELCC for before/after school $10–$12/day; school‑age full-day ~$42/day
- 📝 Reviews: Reddit commentary highlights Strive Niagara as highly recommended for caring staff and reliable service
8. Licensed Home Child Care (Agency-approved, various providers)
- 📐 Ages: Infant through preschool and school-age
- ⏰ Hours: Flexible; typical is full-day 7–6 PM or shared schedules
- 📋 Slots: Register through Niagara Region licensed home child care registry
- 💰 Price (CWELCC eligible): 6–10.99 hours ~$20.93; up to 15.99 hours $22; half-day ~$12
- 📝 Reviews: Parents report solid experiences and faster availability compared to centres
📋 Comparison Table
| Centre / Option | Location | Ages | Hours | Price (CWELCC)* | Contact / Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA Durdan/Loretto | Niagara Falls | 0–4 & school age | 7 AM–6 PM | Infant ~$22; Toddler ~$21; JK/SK ~$19; school-age ~$42 | (905)‑354‑4555 / YMCA website |
| YMCA Mount Carmel | Niagara Falls | Same as above | Same | Same | (905)‑357‑6525 / YMCA website |
| Sweet Love Childcare Inc | Niagara-on-the-Lake (serves) | Toddler to Preschool | 7:30 AM–5 PM | Approx. local centre rates | (289)‑868‑7961 / Website |
| Niagara Nursery School | Niagara-on-the-Lake | 18 mo–6 yrs | 7:30 AM–5:30 PM + nursery | CWELCC applicable | Registry / Website |
| A Child’s World (Falls branch) | Niagara Falls region | 0–6 yrs + school-age | 7 AM–6 PM | Infant/Toddler $22, Preschool $18.66, school-age $9–12 | (905)‑735‑1162 / ACW website |
| EarlyON – Kate S Durdan | Public drop-in centre | Parent-child toddlers to 6 | Mon–Thu 9–12 & 1–4; Fri 9–12 | Free | (905)‑356‑0488 / DSBN website |
| Strive Niagara school-based care | Catholic schools, Niagara Falls | School-age (7–12 yrs) | Before/after school, PA days | ~$10–12 before/after; $42 full-day | OneList / NCDSB info |
| Licensed Home Child Care Agencies | Various across Niagara Falls | Infant–school-age | Flexible | $20.93–$22/day (CWELCC) | Registry / Agency referral |
*All prices reflect child care fee subsidies under Ontario’s Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care (CWELCC) system effective Jan 1, 2025 — based on Niagara Region rate chart.
Parent Tips for Selecting a Centre
- Register early via Niagara OneList — waitlists often fill years in advance.
- Tour and ask about staff retention, child‑to‑educator ratios, communication methods (apps, reports), discipline philosophy, outdoor play and mealtimes.
- Visit EarlyON sessions like Kate S Durdan to get a feel for community and programming (free drop-in).
- Compare home‑care vs centre‑based if waitlists are long — home daycare agencies sometimes offer quicker placement.
Whether you’re planning full-day care for infants or before-and-after school for older children, Niagara Falls offers a variety of licensed and trusted childcare options. Start your OneList application now, reach out to centres, and schedule visits early to secure the best fit.