About Us

Play is how children learn and make sense of their world which is why our team considers ourselves masters of play, lovers of (play-based) learning, and all-around advocates for the kids in our care. Our Founders, Cecilia and Anne Marie launched Growing Tykes in 1986 for two reasons: Cecilia had been working in the childcare field for 15 years and had dreamed of opening her own childcare centre, and Anne Marie saw the need for childcare that met with her own standards and values as a mom. The rest is history!

Over the past three decades, Growing Tykes has expanded into four centres throughout the City of Toronto serving kids from infants to age nine. Today Growing Tykes is a non-profit organization run by a board of directors, licensed by the Ministry of Education, and legislated under the Child Care and Early Years Act. We also have a purchase of service agreement with the City of Toronto, which means that through Toronto Children’s Services eligible families can apply for financial assistance with the cost of licensed child care.