How near or far are you willing to go? That’s just one of the many questions to consider when choosing the best daycare for your little one. No doubt a caregiver that’s on your way to the office will make the work-life balance a little easier.
These strategically located daycares are sure to fit into your commute. Just be sure to keep your options open by applying early on in your pregnancy as spaces are limited and wait lists are long. Here are some of the best transit accessible daycares in Toronto.
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1. Brookfield Place Child Care Centre — 10 Front St. West
This daycare is the closest option available to Union Station. As far as transit is concerned, it doesn't get more accessible nor convenient than this. The walk from Union Station is a cool five-minute stroll and in winter you can enjoy the option of taking the PATH underground walkway.
Despite being under construction, Union Station offers great stroller access. Bonus: This centre also consults a nutritionist and posts weekly menus online. Entrance to the centre is strictly controlled by parent biometric hand and print technology.
2. Toronto Pinnacle YMCA Child Care Centre — 12 Yonge St.
A 10-minute walk south of Union Station takes you to the Harbourfront-Lakeshore junction. Enjoy immediate access to Lake Ontario’s shoreline for an after-work outing with your little one in summer. Despite ongoing renovations at Union Station, stroller access is excellent. Snacks at the centre are provided by a caterer and meals are cooked on-site to reduce the risk of food allergens.
3. Kids and Company — 160 Bloor St. E
Exiting from Sherbourne Station, this day care is an eight minute walk away. If you head west, you can make the journey to the Bloor-Yonge Station in just two minutes and stroller access into this station is easy. This centre offers Daycare Webwatch so you can log in remotely and keep an eye your children.
4. Candy Factory Daycare — 1411 Bloor St. W
This daycare is a six-minute walk east on Bloor Street from Dundas West Station, which has excellent stroller access, making this journey a piece of cake even in the worst weather. Staff at the centre speak Greek, Polish, Turkish and Spanish. You can keep pace with your child’s day using the HiMama app, which delivers real-time photos and captions of your little one.
5. Friends Day Care — 60 Lowther Ave.
The eight-minute walk to Museum Station from this daycare is perfect. If you can, kick off early and take your little one to the ROM (open daily 10-5:30 pm). Established in 1971, the centre’s long-time team of early childhood educators share over 50 years of experience.
6. Central Eglinton Children’s Centre — 223 Eglinton Ave. E
An eight-minute walk gets you to Eglinton Station in no time. Enjoy fantastic stroller access and among other amenities, a full-service grocery store in the adjoining mall. Want to know what’s for lunch? This centre posts all meals for the week on their website and makes careful notes on allergens.
7. Children’s Circle Daycare — 175 Hampton Ave.
This journey clocks in at two minutes from Chester Station, and while the stop does not have elevators, you can use the escalators. Or, get your steps in and use Pape Station (an eight-minute walk). The centre’s after-school program offers student interest-driven activities and ensures that they are engaging after their school-assigned homework is completed.
