Licensed Infant Care in Laval, QC

Infant Care in Laval

Laval is home to 216 licensed childcare centres regulated by the Ministère de la Famille (Quebec), making it one of the largest childcare markets in the greater Montréal region. All 216 facilities are centre-based — the provincial dataset lists no licensed family-home daycares for this city. Roughly 60 percent of those centres (130 out of 216) participate in Quebec's subsidised childcare system, offering the well-known $10-a-day (or close to it) reduced-contribution rate through the CPE (Centre de la petite enfance) or garderie subventionnée model. The other 40 percent operate as unsubsidised private garderies, which set their own fees but must still meet the same Ministère de la Famille licensing standards. Whether you are searching for a subsidised CPE spot or a private garderie, MapleCub lists every licensed option so you can compare, shortlist, and contact providers directly.

What to know about childcare in Laval

Finding childcare in Laval requires understanding how Quebec's two-tier system actually works on the ground. The province runs one of Canada's most heavily subsidised early-childhood networks, but the ratio of subsidised to private spots varies by city — in Laval, that split sits at roughly 60/40. That means demand for reduced-contribution spots regularly outpaces supply, and many families find themselves on waitlists for CPE placements while enrolling in a private garderie as an interim option.

Centres in Laval range from small boutique garderies with 15 spaces all the way up to larger CPE installations running at their licensed maximum of 100 spaces. The median capacity across all 216 licensed centres is 69 spaces — a useful benchmark when you are trying to gauge whether a centre is likely to have the interpersonal environment you want for your child. Smaller centres often have lower staff-to-child ratios in practice and a more intimate atmosphere, while larger CPE installations can offer more programme variety and extended hours.

Age coverage is strong across the infant and preschool range. The provincial data shows that 168 of Laval's 216 centres serve infants (0–12 months), while all 216 serve toddlers (1–2 years) and preschoolers (3–4 years). School-age (5+) out-of-school care is not captured in this dataset, so families with kindergarten-age children should confirm directly with providers. Infant spots are the hardest to secure citywide — demand almost always exceeds supply — so registering on the La Place 0-5 provincial waitlist system as early as possible is strongly recommended.

The sample of licensed providers in Laval illustrates the variety available: large multi-installation CPEs like Centre de la Petite Enfance Pirouette de Fabreville (with multiple sites) and Centre de la Petite Enfance le Marmot Qui Rit sit alongside smaller independent garderies such as Garderie Éducative la Forêt Enchantée and Garderie le Petit Monde d'Auteuil. You will also find specialty concepts like Au Jardin des Petits Mozarts, which suggests a music-enriched focus, and Centre Éducatif les Fées Enchantées. Because provider names alone do not tell the full story, visiting centres and requesting a copy of their éducation programme (the provincial curriculum framework) is always worthwhile.

Practically speaking: subsidised spots require a request through La Place 0-5 (the province's centralised waitlist portal), not direct application to the centre. Private garderies handle their own waitlists. Fees at subsidised centres follow the provincial contribution schedule based on family income; at private garderies fees are set by the operator. All centres — subsidised or not — are subject to the same provincial licensing inspections and must follow the Accreditation requirements under the Educational Childcare Act. Checking the Ministère de la Famille's public inspection register before enrolling gives you an objective picture of any compliance history.