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MCMASTER STUDENTS UNION

Child Care Centre

The Child Care Centre is a service of the McMaster Students Union which provides educational care for the McMaster student community as well as the community at large. Our staff functions as a team to ensure that every child feels relaxed and secure in their environment. The staff responds to each individual child’s needs while being sensitive to social, cultural or developmental differences. Children receive verbal encouragement and praise to inspire self-esteem and positive behaviour.

McMaster Students Union Child Care Centre is enrolled in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC) to reduce fees for families. For more details, please contact Miranda Vanderveen, the centre Director.

Expandable List

We are located at 1145 King Street West, Hamilton at the corner of King Street West and Haddon Avenue in Westdale.

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday: 7:30am-6:00pm

Summer Hours (July-August)

Monday-Friday: 7:30am-5:30pm

The Centre provides a play-based, developmentally enriching program for children ages 18 months to 4 years old in an inclusive family-focused facility.

We provide an educational program incorporating the children’s needs and interests. Programming is planned to foster creativity, curiosity, independence, physical activity developing gross and fine motor skills, interaction, communication and respect for others. The program is based on the Ministry’s “How Does Learning Happen” document and the four Foundations of belonging, well-being, expression and engagement.

Our learning areas include:

  • dramatic play centre
  • sensory bin
  • block centre
  • creative art materials
  • library centre
  • science activities
  • gross motor opportunities
  • puzzle centre
  • shelf toy centre
  • loose parts area

Gathering times and small group activities enhance the program with stories, creative movement, songs, and hands on experiences.

Family engagement is encouraged through special events throughout the year as well as classroom specific activities.

The Centre is staffed by seven Registered Early Childhood Educators and a full time Cook. We hire McMaster Students as teacher’s assistants who work short shifts throughout the day to support the classrooms. All staff are trained in First Aid and CPR. Staff participate in continuous professional learning to build on their knowledge and to stay current in the early years field.

 

The Centre’s first line clients are the children of McMaster undergraduate students. We also accept, on a priority basis, enrollment of children of graduate students, McMaster staff and faculty, and the community at large.

The MSU Child Care Centre application form is available in PDF & Word format by clicking the links below:

Child Care Application Form- Fillable Form

Child Care Application Form- Print & Write

Completed applications can be emailed to: Miranda – msuchildcare@msu.mcmaster.ca

Toddler and Preschool Daily Rate $22 per day billed at the beginning of each month.

Enrollment Options

Full Time 5 days per week Monday to Friday
Part Time 3 days per week Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Part Time 2 days per week Tuesday and Thursday
Registration Fee : $12

Please download our helpful Parent Handbook for new families as well as a reference for current families below:

MSU Childcare Centre Parent Handbook

For translations of this document, please email: Miranda –  msuchildcare@msu.mcmaster.ca

McMaster students who are interested in gaining more experience working with young children are welcome to volunteer with us. Please contact Miranda Vanderveen at msuchildcare@msu.mcmaster.ca for more information. Please note that a Vulnerable Sector Police Check and medical documents regarding eligibility for being in the Centre, must be completed before volunteering.

The staff is frequently complemented by students who are enrolled in Early Childhood Education programs from nearby colleges and universities. We also welcome co-op students from local high schools.

For more information please get in touch with us at: Miranda – msuchildcare@msu.mcmaster.ca