Serving Hamilton since 1988.
Where children play,
learn, and grow.
For over 35 years, Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton (UFCC) has enjoyed the reputation of being an organization that offers high-quality programs to children and their families. We operate 27 centres in public elementary schools throughout the City of Hamilton – including outlying areas – and provide service to over 2,400 children each day.
In operation since 1988, UFCC is a non-profit corporation administered by a community-based Board of Directors who have a keen interest in early learning and childcare.
We take pride in the diverse and rich backgrounds of our employees, families, and the communities we serve. We have developed and implemented policies and procedures that address and reduce systemic racism and anti-bias practices throughout the organization. Diversity is celebrated by acknowledging similarities and differences and providing perspectives that embrace beauty and value all differences. We provide opportunities through materials and experiences for children, and through professional development for staff to explore diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and practices.
Located within Hamilton Wentworth District elementary schools, families appreciate the availability of a ‘seamless day’ for their children – early learning, care and education ‘under one roof’. Since programs open at 7:00 am, families are free to leave their children in the hands of capable, competent and caring staff members until it is time to pick them up at the end of the day.
Our Programs
UFCC’s programs provide environments where children can engage and explore in play-based learning at their own pace and following their natural curiosity. Program experiences for children are based upon Ontario’s pedagogical approaches for the early years. The four foundations of our provincial pedagogy ensure that each child feels a strong sense of belonging and well-being and that they are able to fully engage and express themselves.
Our full day early learning and child care programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as before and after school programs for kindergarten and school aged children provides indoor and outdoor environments for children to explore, investigate their theories, and engage with others and the natural world through play-based learning opportunities.
Click a program below to learn more details and information including rate, enrolment and locations.
Infant
0–18 Months
Kindergarten
3.6 – 5 Years
Toddler
18–30 Months
School Age
5 – 12 Years
Preschool
30 Months – 3.6 Years
PA Days &
Breaks
27 LOCATIONS AROUND THE
Find your location
We operate full day early learning and child care centres for infant, toddler and preschool children, as well as before and after school programs for kindergarten and school age children. All Umbrella programs are located within Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) facilities.
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Family Resources
Loose Parts
Loose Parts are natural or man-made materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. They are materials with no specific set of directions that can be used alone or combined with other…
Passionate Educators
Our educators and program staff are dedicated and passionate about their work with children. We believe that our staff are capable and competent in their roles. As an organization that believes in continuous learning, staff are provided with opportunities to engage in professional development to keep current with new research and development in the field of early learning and child care.
What Umbrella Families are Saying
Land Acknowledgment
Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton are situated on the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas. We recognize that our city is home to many Indigenous people, and we have a responsibility to learn more and increase our understanding of this land’s history, actively cultivating a sense of appreciation, respect, and belonging.
In our work with children, we are dedicated to respecting the land, nurturing a love and appreciation for the earth, and fostering an understanding of those who were the first caretakers and stewards of this land. We commit to fostering an appreciation of nature and a connection to the land in our programs, both indoors and outdoors as well as learning from Indigenous voices as we grow in this work.