If you’ve ever wondered what the differences are between PLASP Early Learning and Child Care Centres vs. PLASP EarlyON Centres, you’re not alone! PLASP operates both of these distinct types of centres, which both cater to our youngest children. Below, we help distinguish between these two programs.

PLASP Early Learning and Child Care Centres: 

PLASP’s award-winning Early Learning and Child Care Centres (ELCCCs for short) offer full-day child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (ages 6 weeks to five years of age) at more than 30 centres in the Region of Peel and in the City of Toronto. Centres provide care to children all day long (from 7 am to 6 pm).  Parents are able to drop-off their child and go to work or school knowing that their child is cared for by Registered Early Childhood Educators in a safe space where children learn and grow. 

PLASP’s ELCCCs meet the high standards for licensing by the Ministry of Education and use HighScope® curriculum, as well as How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years, to inspire learning and development and promote each child’s sense of belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression. Fees include breakfast, lunch, and snacks freshly prepared on-site daily AND diapers, wipes and select diaper creams. Discounted rates are available for children under 6 years old through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

PLASP EarlyON Centres:

EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free, high-quality programs for families with children from birth up to 6 years old. At these centres families stay with children as they are provided inclusive and welcoming programs that embrace the 12 Guiding Principles of Family Support and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years.

EarlyON programs are not just for children! At an EarlyON Centre, you can talk to community professionals to learn about child development, and receive parenting supports and resources within the community that meet your family’s needs. It is a place to meet other families and enjoy programming with your child in an inclusive, and engaging environment. In addition, you can sign-up for free workshops, attend customized programming and join-in on special events with other families.

Below is a chart that gives an at-a-glance breakdown of some of the main distinctions between PLASP Early Learning and Child Care Centres and PLASP EarlyON Centres:

We encourage families to follow both PLASP and PLASP EarlyON on social media to stay in-the-know about what’s happening at our centres and programs! Follow us here: