Families in Ajax, Ontario, are dealing with child care closures on Monday, January 26, 2026, after a major winter storm hit the region. All child care centres located within Durham District School Board (DDSB) and Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) buildings are closed for the day because the boards issued system-wide closures due to heavy snow and hazardous travel. The decision affects programs for children aged 0–12, including before- and after-school care.
The closures include sites run by the Region of Durham Children’s Services and other providers such as the YMCA (YMCA of Greater Toronto) and P.R.Y.D.E. Learning Centres. Specific Ajax locations affected include the Ajax Early Learning and Child Care Centre, Ajax Nottingham YMCA, and P.R.Y.D.E. Duffins Bay. Both the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board have announced system-wide closures of their schools and facilities, and school-based before- and after-school programs are cancelled.
These system-wide closures were issued because deteriorating road conditions and the severity of the storm made it unsafe for normal operations; boards have said closures render school properties unavailable for school-based programs. According to the Region of Durham’s Child Care and Early Years handbook, parents are generally expected to pay their parent rate for days their child does not attend and should consult their centre’s absent-day policy for details. Officials and the boards have said they expect school buildings and associated child care sites to re-open on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, pending snow removal and site inspections.
Residents who need shelter during the storm can visit Regional Winter Warming centres for temporary relief. For the latest updates on service impacts and re-openings, families are advised to check the Region of Durham Service Impacts page or call 311.
