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Happy New Year!
Everyone at Wee Watch is excited for the year ahead and for all that 2026 will bring for our families. As you may have heard, Ontario has signed on to extend the CWELCC agreement with the federal government. This means the $22/day parent fee is guaranteed through the end of 2026, providing peace of mind that your childcare fees will not increase this year. With that reassurance in place, the new year is a perfect time to focus on fresh starts at home. This month’s newsletter is all about building healthy habits, with practical tips and ideas to help your family begin the year in a positive and balanced way.
Recently, we asked for your feedback about your Wee Watch experience, and we were truly overwhelmed by the response. Parents across the province shared that they are extremely satisfied with Wee Watch, and the number one reason cited was our incredible team of Providers. You highlighted the quality of care, the engaging programs they offer, and the way your children are thriving in their homes. While we weren’t surprised, knowing how amazing our 1,700+ Providers are, it was wonderful to hear how much you value them too. You’ll find a few of your thoughtful comments shared below.
You also told us that our educational programming, affordable fees, strong communication between agencies, parents, and Providers, and the safety of our program—especially the additional home visits, are key reasons you trust Wee Watch. We have carefully reviewed all of your suggestions for improvement, and each agency is developing an action plan to address feedback specific to their community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey; your input truly helps us grow and improve.
So, what’s new at Wee Watch for 2026?
Each year, we launch a new Together Wee Can program, and this year we’re excited to continue a theme that was especially popular with both parents and Providers. Our 2026 program, Pillars of Programming, will showcase creative and meaningful programming ideas from Providers across the province. Just like last year, this is programming created by Providers, for Providers—and inspired by the children in their care. Learn more below, and be sure to follow your local agency on Facebook and Instagram throughout the year to see this exciting programming in action!
Some quotes from the parent survey:
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Healthy Habits for a Happy New Year:
How Small Routines Shape Lifelong Well-Being
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A new year is the perfect time to pause, reset, and think about the habits that help children thrive. At Wee Watch, we know that healthy habits aren’t just about eating well or staying active, they are the everyday routines that support emotional security, confidence, learning, and strong relationships. When children experience predictable, nurturing routines, they feel safe to explore, play, and grow.
For young children, routines are powerful teachers. Washing hands before eating, putting toys back where they belong, zipping jackets, or helping prepare a simple snack each day builds more than independence, it strengthens memory, motor skills, and self-regulation. Winter is a great time to re-establish these foundational habits, especially when colder days mean more time indoors and more opportunities for meaningful repetition.
Staying active is essential to a child’s development, but winter weather can make it challenging. Simple indoor movement breaks, dancing, yoga stretches, and active play all support gross motor development and keep spirits high when daylight is short. Even bundling up and playing outside for short bursts helps children build resilience and learn how their bodies work in different environments.
Food habits formed early often last a lifetime. Inviting children into the kitchen (whether they’re washing fruit, stirring batter, or helping set the table) teaches them about nutrition while encouraging independence and curiosity. Children who participate in preparing meals are more likely to try new foods, trust their senses, and feel proud of their contributions.
A “healthy” year isn’t only physical. Emotional habits matter just as much. Teaching children how to name their feelings, take a breath, ask for help, or comfort a friend nurtures empathy and emotional intelligence. Winter provides many cozy moments for story time, connection, and modeling these skills.
Healthy habits don’t develop overnight. They are built through repetition, encouragement, and joyful participation. This New Year, Providers and families can work together to weave small, sustainable routines into each day. These moments may seem simple, but they create the building blocks for a lifetime of well-being, confidence, and happiness.
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Provider Spotlight
Name: Tanya
City: Sarnia
Years of service: 10 years
This month we’re excited to recognize Tanya, who has been providing high-quality, loving care to children in the Sarnia community. Tanya's dedication to creating nurturing and stimulating learning environments, where children feel safe to ask questions and express themselves, makes a meaningful difference every day.
Fun Fact: Arts and crafts are the highlight of Tanya's day, as children “dive” into hands-on learning that sparks science, math, and social skills.
Thank you, Tanya, for all that you do!
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Please join us in celebrating our incredible Providers who are marking 5, 10, and even more years of dedicated service. Your commitment, passion, and care have made a lasting impact on countless children and families. Thank you for the years of trust, heart, and excellence you bring to quality child care every day.
See who we are celebrating in January & February
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Every Provider and child has access to our Wee Learn educational curriculum. Designed by a team of early childhood experts, Wee Learn supports children in reaching key developmental milestones while building a strong foundation for school—and beyond. Rooted in play-based learning, the program is thoughtfully designed to engage and inspire children of all ages and stages.
Try some of these activities which align with our program:
| | | Together Wee Can 2026 - Pillars of Programming | | |
Each year Wee Watch organizes exclusive and educational events and activities around a theme that all Providers across Ontario participate in called "Together Wee Can".
We are thrilled to announce this years program is Together Wee Can: Pillars in Programming. This year, we will celebrate our incredible Providers by highlighting the innovative activities and learning opportunities they provide children. Through this program, we aim not only to showcase their talents and ideas but also to inspire and strengthen our community by sharing the very best of what home child care has to offer.
Each month will include Provider profiles, their favourite activities, and tips to help modify activities for other ages and stages.
To learn more about our exclusive educational programming, visit our website.
Take a look at what's coming up in our homes...
| | Wee Bites - Recipe of the Month | | |
Aprons ready!
Our Recipe of the Month invites kids to mix, measure, and make something yummy! Cooking together helps build confidence, creativity, healthy habits, and is a hands-on way to practice math, language, and life skills - all while having fun.
RITZ Snowman Cheese Bites
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The photos we share capture the joy, curiosity, and meaningful moments happening every day in our child care homes. From hands-on learning and creative play to big smiles and small victories, these snapshots highlight the warm, nurturing environments our Providers create and the fun children have as they play, learn, and grow together. We love sharing these moments with you - because they’re the heart of what makes our child care homes so special.
Click here to view our slideshow
| | | Highlights From our Channels | | |
Follow Us on Facebook
Little hands, big learning!
Today our wee ones are matching and gluing colourful buttons onto numbered mittens, counting each dot as they go.
This playful winter activity builds number sense, fine motor skills, and lots of smiles! How many buttons can your child match to their mitten?
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Follow Us on Instagram
Out in Mississauga, our wee ones had a blast playing Snowball Pin Knockdown with their fantastic Provider Sahar - an outdoor twist on bowling using snowballs as the “balls” to knock down the pins.
Outdoor play encourages movement, coordination, problem-solving, and social skills all while enjoying fresh air and the beauty of each season.
| | From the Blog - Sharing Some Wee Talk | |
Healthy Habits for a happy new year: setting children up for success | The early months of the new year are an ideal time to focus on healthy habits that support strong bodies, curious minds, and emotional growth | | | | | | |
