Childcare and Education
Childcare
There are multiple options for childcare in Elgin County. The government regulates and inspects licensed childcare at designated centres and private homes. Depending on income and other factors, residents may be eligible for a subsidy that lowers their overall cost of childcare.
- Licensed Childcare Providers in St. Thomas-Elgin (external site)
- Centralized St. Thomas-Elgin Childcare Waitlist (external site)
- Child Care Subsidy (external site)
Before and After School Programs
Many elementary schools offer on-site childcare programs before and after school for a fee.
School Boards
In Elgin County, three school systems provide elementary (including kindergarten) and secondary school education:
- Thames Valley District School Board (external site)
- London District Catholic School Board (external site)
- Private Schools (external site)
University and College
There are excellent university and college options close to Elgin County.
Western University (external site) is a research-intensive, world-class institution located only 35 minutes away in London, Ontario. Western University is home to the top-ranked Ivey Business School (external site) and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (external site). The university offers many undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs and numerous academic and research job opportunities.
Fanshawe College (external site) is one of Ontario’s largest colleges, with four campuses in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas, and Woodstock. It offers many skilled trades, apprenticeships, and training courses. It also offers classes to upgrade your skills or programs for adults who wish to change careers. The proximity and range of full-time, part-time, and online programs make studying easy and convenient.
