The Squirrels’ Nest Child Care Centre (Squirrels' Nest) is committed to providing high quality care to our children and their families with the guidance of experienced Child Care Educators in an environment that supports inclusion, service equity, is barrier-free and provides cultural and racial harmony through the celebration of diversity.
The Squirrels Nest is a standalone building located in the Bendale area of Scarborough, Ward 37, in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by trees and adjacent to the Birkdale Ravine and the Birkdale Community Centre. The building is wheelchair accessible.
The Squirrels’ Nest opened its doors August 14, 1995, providing 123 licensed child care spaces for families that live and work in the community and surrounding areas. The Squirrels’ Nest is licensed for 123 spaces by the Ministry of Education and governed under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) as a not-for-profit incorporated organization with charitable status. The Squirrels’ Nest provides services for children between ages of 0 months-10 years old. The programs offered are Infant,Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten and School-Age.
The Squirrels' Nest Child Care Centre has OPTED-IN, and has been approved for, the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Program.
The daily rate includes all Statutory Holidays, Civic Holiday, Family Day, family vacations, illnesses and absent days. The CWELCC rates are as follows:
|
Program Name |
Daily Rate |
Weekly Rate |
|
Infant (0–18 months) |
$37.09 |
$185.45 |
|
Toddler (18 months-2½ years old) |
$26.93 |
$134.65 |
|
Preschool (2½-3.8 years old) |
$20.70 |
$103.95 |
|
Kindergarten B&A (4–5 years old) |
$13.70 |
$68.50 |
|
Kindergarten Full Day (4–5 years old) |
$17.01 |
$85.05 |
|
Program Name |
Daily Rate |
Weekly Rate |
|
School-Age B&A (6-10 years old) |
$29.93 |
$149.65 |
|
School-Age Full Day (6-10 years old) |
$37.28 |
$186.40 |
* Enrollment in the Kindergarten and/or School Age programs includes both the Before & After School (B&A) (instructional days - children attend school) and full days (non-instructional days - children attend Child Care during PA Days, March Break, Summer Camp and the Winter Break) , as well we do not offer morning only or afternoon only options for these programs.
The Squirrels’ Nest has a Purchase of Service Agreement with the Toronto, Children Services Division who provide financial assistance to families who qualify. Refer to the helpful links to connect to the Toronto Children Service's website.
CCEYA has specific regulations and requirements based on the teacher/child ratio. Between the hours of 8:30am-5:00pm lower child ratios are maintained inside the classroom and on the playground at all times. Higher child ratios (two-thirds increased ratios) are permitted between the hours of 7:00am-8:30am & 5:00pm-6:00pm.
The two-thirds ratio only applies to the Toddler, Preschool and the Kindergarten & School-Age full day programs, the Infant program maintains the lower child ratio at all times.
The teacher/child ratios are as follows:
|
Program Name |
# of Children in Age Group |
# of Staff in Each Program |
Maintained Ratios |
Two-Third Ratio Increase |
|
Infant |
10 |
3 |
1:3 |
1:3 |
|
Toddler |
25 |
5 |
1:5 |
1:8 |
|
Preschool |
32 |
4 |
1:8 |
1:12 |
|
*Kindergarten |
26 |
2 |
1:13 |
1:17 |
|
*School-Age |
30 |
2 |
1:15 |
1:20 |
* During instructional days (children attending school) the Kindergarten and School Age Before & After School (B&A) programs two-thirds increased ratio times are from 7:00 am-7:30 am & 5:30 pm-6:00 pm.
Operating hours are from 7:30am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday for the Infant, Toddler and Preschool programs. The B&A programs are from 7:30am – 9:00am & 3:00pm – 5:30pm.