Frequently Asked Questions
What is Manitoba Child Care Search (MCCS)?
Manitoba Child Care Search is an online map-based search tool to help families and child care employment seekers find and connect with Manitoba licensed child care facilities (centres and homes).
Families can search for child care facilities that meet their needs based using a variety of search filters. In this same way, child care employment seekers can search for facilities who are hiring Child Care Assistants and/or Early Childhood Educators.
How do I use the map and search options to find licensed child care?
The interactive map and search options makes it easier to browse licensed facilities and find providers near the desired location.
As a default, MCCS displays all licensed child care facilities using icons on the map and by generating a listing of all licensed facilities below the map. Users can narrow their search by using keyword or filter search options such as care type, facility type, operating times, vacancies and employment opportunities. The map and facility listing below the map will automatically change as keywords or search filters are selected.
How can I find more information about the licensed child care facility that I am interested in?
Users can click on the facility name provided in the MCCS facility map icon or from the listing below the map, to access the link to the facility's profile information.
The licensed child care facility profile information helps users make decisions prior to contacting a provider. The profile includes information such as contact information, hours of operation, languages of care, highlights of programming, enrollment policies in addition to business and funding type (e,g. non-profit, funded).
What information does a child care licence provide and how can I view a facility license in MCCS?
From a facility profile information page, users can click on the link to view the facility's licence. The child care facility licence provides information about the status of a facility's licence (regular, provisional), the period of the licence, the maximum number of children allowed at the facility, and any conditions applicable to the facility before making a decision about placement.
Who is responsible for licensed child care Manitoba?
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning establishes standards and licenses early learning and child care facilities, who are independent operators, for children from birth to age 12 throughout the province. Licensed child care providers can be non-profit organizations, parent co-operatives, for-profit/private companies or individuals who operate child care centres and homes.
What is the difference between a licensed child care facility and an unlicensed child care facility?
All licensed child care facilities in Manitoba, including centres and homes, are guided by The Community Child Care Standards Act and its regulations. The Act and regulations define the types of child care that need to be licensed and set minimum standards facilities must meet in areas such as: supervision, staff qualifications, space, equipment, health and safety, nutrition, programming and behaviour management.
Licensed child care centres and homes are inspected by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning staff, on an ongoing basis, to ensure child care standards are met. Supports, including access to grant funding, are also provided to eligible facilities to improve the quality of early learning and child care services and to reduce parent fees.
In Manitoba, a person can provide private child care in their home without a licence, as long as they do not care for more than four children under the age of 12, including no more than two children under the age of two. These numbers include the caregiver's own children. Unlicensed private home child care is not monitored by the provincial government.
Are all licensed centres and home child care providers listed in MCCS?
Upon the licensing of a child care facility, information about the licensed and open child care centre or home is made available in MCCS based on their licence details*.
*As home providers are also private residences, some homes may choose to protect their identity and choose not to display their operating name and/or location in MCCS. Homes that have chosen not to display their operating name are listed as “Home-Based Provider”. Their contact information and facility details remain accessible for public viewing.
Who is responsible for setting child care fees in Manitoba?
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning provides operating grants to licensed, eligible providers. Once an eligible child care facility chooses to accept operating grants, it is considered a funded facility and is required to comply with the maximum parent fee limits, set in the regulations under the Act. Unlicensed homes and any licensed homes or centres that do not receive operating grants (unfunded facility), may set their own daily parent fee rates.
Is financial support available to help with costs of child care at licensed child care facilities?
Yes. Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning has a Child Care Subsidy Program that provides provincial support to eligible families to help with the cost of care at licensed facilities (including centres and homes).
How do I know if a licensed child care facility has an available child care space?
Child care space vacancies are listed in MCCS based on the age of the child requiring care. To view vacancies based on the age of your child, use the search filter “Ages of Care” and select “Only facilities with vacancies.” Child care facilities are responsible for ensuring the vacancies listed for their facility is up to date.
Note: published vacancies are subject to change. Contact the facility directly to confirm availability.
Who is responsible for operating and managing child care enrolment and waitlists?
All licensed facilities (including centres and homes) are independent organizations and responsible for managing their own facility operations as per The Community Child Care Standards Act and its regulations. This includes being responsible for developing and managing their own enrolment and waitlist policies and procedures.
Waitlists vary by facility and are dependent on many factors including demand, location and capacity. Contact facilities directly to inquire about a child care spaces.
How often is MCCS updated?
To help families and child care employment seekers obtain the most current information about child care availability, services and employment positions all licensed Manitoba child care facilities (including centres and homes) are prompted weekly by system reminders to review and confirm their online facility information profile.
The date a facility most recently confirmed or updated their information is published in their MCCS profile.
How can I learn more about licensed child care in Manitoba and what to look for in selecting a child care facility?
Learn more about the early learning and child care system in Manitoba and considerations for selecting a child care facility that is the right fit for you and family by reading section A Guide to Child Care in Manitoba found on the Early Learning and Child Care website at: www.manitoba.ca/childcare
Who can I contact for help with MCCS
Send inquires about Manitoba Child Care Search to: MBchildcaresearch@gov.mb.ca.
