Directed Growth Call Out

The Ministry of Education has recently advised us that in addition to the growth already achieved since 2022, additional child care spaces are now available for CWELCC enrollment within the County of Middlesex and City of London and Middlesex County under our Directed Growth Plan targets. The County of Middlesex is currently seeking expressions of Interest for new CWELCC enrolled spaces.   

Expressions of Interest are due: April 17, 2026

Expression of Interest

The current Expression of Interest is limited to the following London-Middlesex licensees and London-Middlesex Licence applicants:

1.) Existing CWELCC-Enrolled Not for Profit Licensees seeking to add additional spaces to an existing centre in London-Middlesex.

2a.) Existing non CWELCC-Enrolled Licensees seeking to enroll an existing centre operating in London-Middlesex.

OR

2b) License applicant seeking to licence a new CWELCC enrolled centre in London-Middlesex.

3.) Existing home agencies seeking to create new licensed homes in London-Middlesex

For childcare site that are operating in Middlesex County, please contact @email.

For sites that will operate in the City of London, contact @email.  

Role of the County of Middlesex and Service System Manager

The City of London is designated as the Service System Manager (SSM) of Licensed Child Care and Early Years for the City of London and County of Middlesex. 

As part of the Directed Growth Plan and in partnership with the City of London, the County of Middlesex:

• Uses established data and criteria to assess alignment with local service system priorities for increasing access to the CWELCC program; and
• Provides advice to the Ministry of Education during the child care licensing process on the likely CWELCC eligibility of new licensed child care spaces.

Note: The County of Middlesex and City of London do not approve child care licences. Licensing is managed by the Ministry of Education.

Note: Advice provided to the Ministry of Education on likely CWELCC eligibility does not guarantee funding.

Eligibility for Directed Growth Call-Out

To be eligible for consideration within the Directed Growth Call-Out process, applicants must be a licensee in Ontario or be a licence applicant and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• a not-for-profit interested in expanding your organization’s CWELCC-enrolled Infant - Kindergarten child care spaces, or
• a for-profit who plans to convert to not-for-profit status and intends to expand your CWELCC-enrolled Infant - Kindergarten child care spaces, or
• a for-profit non enrolled CWELCC program that plans to convert to not-for-profit

Note: Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be returned without review.  

Assessment and Prioritization Criteria

Applications will be prioritized using the following criteria by the County of Middlesex and City of London (SSM) using the following criteria:

• Location and community need (based on local planning and demographic data)
• Proposed age group (Infant to Kindergarten spaces)
• Licensing history and compliance record
• Financial viability and organizational capacity
• Feasibility and ability to open new spaces by December 31, 2026
• Current operating capacity and demonstrated demand for care
• Not-for-profit status 

Applicants may be requested to provide clear supporting documentation for all criteria.