Toronto's licensed childcare sector is experiencing sustained demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators and support staff, driven partly by the federal $10-a-day childcare expansion. Licensed daycares, YMCA centres, and private chains all have open roles right now. Here is who is actively hiring and what you need to get in the door.
Daycares & childcare centres currently hiring in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages as of June 1, 2026.
City of Toronto Licensed Daycares
Early Childhood Educator / ECE Assistant · Multiple Toronto locations · Full-time & Part-time
The City of Toronto operates directly-run licensed daycares at community centres across every ward. RECe registration is required for lead ECE roles. City positions often include CUPE union membership with defined pay grids and benefits.
View City of Toronto childcare openings →YMCA of Greater Toronto
Early Childhood Educator / School-Age Supervisor · Toronto & GTA · Full-time & Part-time
The YMCA operates licensed childcare centres and before- and after-school programs across Toronto. One of the largest childcare employers in the GTA. Hires both RECe-registered ECEs for lead roles and unregistered support staff for assistant and school-age positions.
View YMCA childcare openings →Kids & Company
Early Childhood Educator · Toronto (multiple downtown locations) · Full-time
Kids & Company is a national childcare chain with a significant Toronto presence, primarily serving working parents in downtown office towers. Lead ECE roles require RECe registration. The company offers extended hours to accommodate professional parents and recruits actively year-round.
View Kids & Company openings →Bright Horizons Canada
Early Childhood Educator · Toronto, ON · Full-time
Bright Horizons operates employer-sponsored childcare centres for corporate clients (hospital campuses, financial districts). RECe registration required for most roles. Benefits packages tend to be stronger than at independent daycares due to the corporate client base.
View Bright Horizons openings →Apple Seeds Child Care
ECE / ECE Assistant · Toronto, ON · Full-time & Part-time
Apple Seeds is a Toronto-based non-profit childcare operator with multiple licensed centres. Known for play-based and nature-inspired programming. Hires ECE assistants for candidates still completing their ECE diploma, a good entry point for students in college programs.
View Apple Seeds openings →Primrose Schools Canada
Early Childhood Educator · Toronto & GTA · Full-time
Primrose is a premium private childcare chain with GTA locations. They hire RECe-registered ECEs and place a strong emphasis on curriculum-based programming. Full-time positions with benefits. Higher pay scale than many non-profit operators.
View Primrose Schools openings →Lakeshore Child Care Centre
ECE / Program Assistant · Etobicoke, ON · Full-time & Part-time
A community-run licensed centre serving west-end Toronto families. Lakeshore hires RECe ECEs and program assistants. Smaller centre size means closer relationships with families and broader responsibilities than at large chains.
Browse Etobicoke childcare roles →Community-Run & Non-Profit Daycares (Toronto)
ECE / ECE Assistant · Multiple Toronto neighbourhoods · Full-time & Part-time
Toronto has hundreds of non-profit licensed daycares operated by community associations, churches, and neighbourhood groups. These centres post to Indeed opportunistically and are often not well represented in aggregator searches. Searching directly by neighbourhood (Scarborough, North York, East York) turns up openings that don't appear in broader searches.
Browse all ECE daycare roles in Toronto →What qualifications do you need to work at a Toronto daycare?
Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) governs staffing ratios and qualification requirements at licensed daycares. The key credential is the Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma, offered as a two-year program at Ontario community colleges including Humber, George Brown, Seneca, and Centennial.
To work as a registered ECE and count toward a licensed daycare's required staffing ratios, you must hold a current RECe (Registered Early Childhood Educator) status with the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario. RECe registration requires an eligible ECE diploma and an annual membership.
ECE assistant and program support roles typically have a lower barrier. Many daycares hire assistants without RECe registration, particularly for before- and after-school programs, school-age programs, and support roles outside the regulated ratio. A First Aid and CPR certification is required at most centres. A valid criminal record check with vulnerable sector screening is required at all of them, allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
For candidates currently enrolled in an ECE program, many Toronto daycares welcome practicum placements that can convert into paid roles on graduation. Flagging your placement availability when you apply is worth doing.
What ECEs earn in Toronto
ECE pay in Ontario has risen meaningfully since the federal-provincial wage enhancement agreements tied to the $10-a-day childcare rollout. As of 2026, the Ontario government's wage top-up for RECe ECEs working in licensed non-profit and CMSM-funded centres is $4/hour above base wages.
Typical pay ranges in Toronto licensed daycares:
- RECe ECE (lead role, non-profit): $20–$24/hour base + $4/hour wage enhancement = effective $24–$28/hour at eligible non-profit centres.
- RECe ECE (private chain, Kids & Company, Primrose): $21–$26/hour. Private chains may or may not access the government wage top-up depending on their fee-subsidy participation.
- ECE Assistant (non-RECe): $17.60–$20/hour, starting at or just above Ontario's minimum wage.
- YMCA school-age program staff: $18–$22/hour depending on qualifications and hours.
City of Toronto directly-run centres operate on CUPE pay grids with defined annual step increases. These positions also include benefits and pension, making total compensation at city-run centres among the strongest in the sector. For related job searches, see our after-school programs hiring in Toronto guide.
Full-time vs part-time daycare positions
Licensed daycares in Toronto operate on extended hours, typically 7:00am to 6:00pm. Full-time ECE roles are generally 35–40 hours per week with split shifts uncommon, most full-time staff work a continuous mid-morning to mid-afternoon range with lunch supervision included.
Part-time positions exist primarily for before- and after-school coverage (7:00–9:00am and 3:00–6:00pm), weekend programming, and substitute/supply roles. Supply ECEs who are available on short notice are consistently in demand across Toronto centres, many work through supply lists maintained by individual organizations.
If you are building toward full-time work in childcare, starting as a supply ECE or part-time assistant at multiple centres is a common strategy. It builds your network, demonstrates reliability, and often converts to a full-time offer when a permanent position opens up at a centre where you are already known.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need RECe registration to get a job at a Toronto daycare?
For lead ECE roles at licensed daycares, yes, RECe registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario is required because you count toward mandated staffing ratios. For assistant, support, and school-age program roles, RECe is not always required and many centres hire without it.
What is the ECE wage enhancement in Ontario?
Ontario's CWELCC wage enhancement is a government top-up of approximately $4/hour for RECe-registered ECEs working at licensed non-profit and eligible childcare centres. It is paid directly to employers who pass it through to qualifying ECEs. Private centres that do not participate in the CWELCC system may not offer the enhancement.
How long does a vulnerable sector check take in Ontario?
A vulnerable sector check (required for all childcare staff) typically takes 4 to 8 weeks through the Toronto Police Service or your local police service. Some private providers offer faster turnaround. Apply as soon as you start job searching, delays in the check can delay your start date.
Can I work at a daycare while still completing my ECE diploma?
Yes. Many Toronto daycares hire ECE students as assistants or practicum students while they complete their diploma. Once you graduate and obtain RECe registration, you can transition into a lead ECE role. Flagging your enrollment status in your cover letter can open doors to practicum-to-hire pathways.
Is there a shortage of ECEs in Toronto?
Yes. Toronto and the broader GTA have experienced a sustained shortage of RECe-registered ECEs, intensified by the federal-provincial childcare expansion. Most licensed daycares are actively recruiting and many positions remain open for weeks to months. Qualified candidates are in a strong negotiating position.