The Child Care Services team continues to support a strong vision for Early Years, as outlined in the Early Learning and Care Policy (P022). Over 380 third-party childcare and before-/after-school (BASP) programs now operate in TDSB schools and facilities.
In 2025, the team provided local support to schools, childcare, and BASP partners, fostering positive relationships and professional collaboration. At the system level, the department engaged in strategic planning and coordination to support the continued growth of childcare and BASPs. Specifically, the team transitioned 60 community recreation and skill building programs to official third-party partners supporting our BASP duty under O.Reg 221/11. In partnership with the IT Department, a WiFi pilot project was launched for childcare and BASP partners operating in our schools. The team also supported continuity of care for families by responding to unexpected program closures in schools and developing more than 900 new BASP spaces for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6.
EarlyON Child & Family Programs
The TDSB continues to directly operate 75 EarlyON Child and Family Programs in schools across Toronto. Between January and June 2025, these programs served more than 6,000 children aged six and under and 5,700 parents and caregivers.
In 2025, these child and family programs provided enhanced family literacy opportunities and programming across all sites, supporting the early literacy goals outlined in the TDSB Literacy Strategy. Funding was made available through Toronto Children’s Services to purchase new materials, providing families with access to new books, including dual-language books that allow families to read in their home languages both in programs and at home with our book lending libraries.
The TDSB EarlyON department continued an intentional focus on cultivating a sense of belonging for all families in the programs. Professional learning, including on trauma-informed and healing-centred engagement delivered by TDSB mental health leads, supported this focus.
The Extended Day Program
In collaboration with the Literacy K-8 team, professional learning opportunities were offered on the Nelson easyCBM tool for Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE) working in extended day programs. This was intended to deepen professional knowledge and strengthen early literacy practices in Full-Day Kindergarten and the extended day program. Schools facing challenges to student success were prioritized for educator participation.
A Designated Early Childhood Educators Early Years Initiative pilot also launched to deepen programming quality throughout the early years. In June 2025, a family survey gathered feedback from Extended Day Program parents and caregivers. One parent shared:
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire EDP team for the care, support and dedication you have shown. We truly appreciate the positive environment and the enriching experiences you’ve provided. Thank you again for everything you’ve done.” —Jesse Ketchum PS Parent