Business Details
45 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Early Childhood Education
Compass Early Learning & Care is a purpose-led, value-based non-profit organization established in 1981. We specialize in early childhood education and care, operating 42 licensed centers and over 50 licensed home childcare programs across Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Durham, and Northumberland. Our pedagogy is rooted in care, guided by Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years and inspired by the Reggio-Emilia approach. With over 700 employees and 80 home childcare providers, we serve more than 5,000 families, prioritizing trust, relationships, and professional learning.Our team of nurturing educators creates engaging environments that build on children's knowledge of the world. We offer flexible home childcare options, summer camps, and Forest and Nature programs, with a commitment to accessibility through child care subsidies and community partnerships. Our organization provides mentorship, professional development, and administrative support to home childcare providers while maintaining rigorous safety standards through monthly visits and home inspections.
Services
Licensed Home Child Care
Summer Camp Programs
Forest and Nature Programs
Child Care Provider Training
Waitlist Registration
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- Established in 1981 with 40+ years of expertise in early childhood education
- Over 700 qualified educators and 80 licensed home childcare providers network
- Flexible care options including home childcare, summer camps, and nature programs
- Comprehensive support for providers with professional development and resources
- Community-focused approach with partnerships across Central Ontario
Associations and certifications
- Ministry of Education
Services
Licensed Home Child Care
Our licensed home childcare programs provide a nurturing environment for children aged 0-12 in family homes across Central Ontario. Each provider cares for up to six children, offering personalized attention and flexible scheduling options. Our rigorous screening process ensures all providers maintain current first-aid certifications and police vulnerable sector checks while delivering curriculum aligned with Ontario's early learning framework.
Forest and Nature Programs
These nature-immersed programs foster environmental stewardship through experiential learning in natural settings. Children engage in unstructured play and guided exploration at locations like Dance Nature Sanctuary and Shamrock Forest, developing physical skills and ecological awareness. Programs operate year-round with weather-appropriate clothing requirements to ensure continuous outdoor engagement.
Summer Camp Programs
Our summer camps provide structured activities and educational excursions for school-age children across multiple regions. Locations in Keene, Millbrook, and Durham Region offer both center-based and outdoor programming with capacity for 6 children per group. Specialized activities include nature exploration, arts and crafts, and community field trips to locations like Peterborough Zoo.
Child Care Provider Support
We offer comprehensive support for licensed home childcare providers including professional development training, curriculum resources, and administrative assistance. Providers receive mentorship opportunities, access to equipment libraries, and participation in compensation networks while maintaining independent business operations with flexible scheduling.
Waitlist Registration
Our regional waitlist system helps families secure childcare spaces across five service areas. Through the OneHSN portal and program-specific applications, families can register preferences for locations and program types. Priority placement follows documented protocols with regular communication about availability status and potential openings.
People
Kristeena
Program Coordinator
Manages summer camp registrations and availability inquiries in Apsley, coordinating excursions and program logistics.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We provide care for children from infancy through 12 years of age across all our programs.
Are your home childcare providers licensed?
Yes, all our home childcare providers are licensed by the Ministry of Education and undergo rigorous screening.
Do you offer summer care options?
We operate summer camp programs across multiple regions with both center-based and outdoor programming options.
How do I join the waitlist?
You can join our waitlist through the OneHSN portal or by contacting specific programs directly.
What safety measures are in place?
We require police vulnerable sector checks, first-aid certifications, and conduct monthly home safety inspections.
Do you accept child care subsidies?
Yes, we work with local social service departments to accommodate child care subsidy arrangements.
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