Information for families

Family blowing bubbles

At the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, we are proud to have a diverse community of postdocs, many of whom have spouses/partners and/or children - a survey of postdocs in March 2023 indicated that 62% of postdocs are married or living with a partnerÌýand 17% have children living with them.

Given the large number of postdocs with spouses/partners or children, we are happy to highlight the following information and services to support postdocs and their families.

To support partners and children in feeling a sense of belonging with the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ community, GSPA also strives to ensure approximately one event per term is open to partners and/or children! Keep an eye on theÌýPostdoc e-newsÌýfor upcoming events.

Jump to: The Family Health Clinic | International Spouses of UW | Local daycares and schools | Immigration information for families | Other parenting and caregiving resources

The Family Health Clinic

°Õ³ó±ðÌýFamily Health Clinic, located in Health Services, provides primary care to postdoctoral scholars and their families. Immediate family membersÌýwho come to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ toÌýsupport an individual during their academic career at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ are also eligible to register. Ìý
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The clinic addresses a growing need to support postdoctoral scholars and their familiesÌýwho move to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region. ÌýWhether you are here for four months or four years, the Family Health Clinic isÌýhere to provide primary care to you and your family,Ìýincluding immunizations, documentation, prenatal and well-child checkups.ÌýVisit theirÌýwebsiteÌýto register.

Family

International Spouses of UW

°Õ³ó±ðÌýÌýbrings togetherÌýinternational spouses of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students, postdocs,ÌýprofessorsÌýandÌýstaff members.ÌýThis is a chance to meet other spouses, learn about À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýand go on outings together. The groupÌýalso plans many events for the whole family!

Local daycares and schools

If you're bringing your children to Canada, there are different school aged programs for your child depending on their age. In Canada, children usually begin kindergarten at the age of five. Certain schools offer a junior kindergarten and will accept children at age four. In Canada, children under the age of 12 may not be left alone. Legally an adult must be present at all times, or the child must be enrolled in school.

Elementary or primary schools offer schooling to children between kindergarten to grade eight. Middle schools (if applicable) accept children from grades five to eight. Secondary schools (commonly known as high schools) offer curriculum to youth in grades nine to twelve. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region also has a range of childcare facilities (daycares) for children four years old and under.Ìý

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region daycare centres

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region has a range ofÌýchildcare optionsÌýfor childrenÌýfour-years of age and under. Facilities are in great demand, so be sure to apply for a spot for your child as early as possible. You can put your child on the Region's centralized waitlist,Ìý, which is operated by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region, and includes licensed child care centres and licensed home child care – many parents add their infants to the list as soon as they are aware they are expecting.ÌýUniversity of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ postdocs, along with other À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ staff, faculty and students, receive priority placement atÌý, a daycare located on campus, but keep in mind that the waitlist is still quite long. You are encouraged to contact local childcare centres to ask about their waitlist policies, and the current waitlist length.Ìý

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region's school system

International postdoctoral scholars will hold a valid work permit once in Canada. This permit allows parents/guardians of international postdoctoral scholars to enrol their children in a public school free of charge. There are fourÌýschool boards in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region that parents may be eligible to enrol their children in:

  • Ìý(Roman Catholic separate, French-language school board)
  • (French-language public school board)

Prior to entering their child in a À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ-area school, parents/guardians will be required to provide the school with a number of documents. For example, the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region District School Board requires a copy of your work permit, the child's passport, the child's birth certificate, the child's visitor record or study permit (if available), and proof of address in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Region. Please visit the school board websites for details on documentation required to enrol your children in school.Ìý

In Canada, school hours are shorter than the typical work day. As such, many parents enrol their school-aged children in Before and After School Programs. To find Before and After School Programs, visitÌý.Ìý

Immigration information for families

Work permits for spouses/partners

Spouses or partners accompanying postdocs to Canada are eligible to search for employment once they arrive in Canada. Information on the Spousal Employment Authorization initiative can be found on theÌý.

To apply for an open work permit, spouses or partners must provide IRCC with an application processing fee and the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Work permit of the postdoc spouse or partner
  • Marriage certificate in English or French

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States or St. Pierre & Miquelon, or holders of passports which only require an eTA to enter Canada,Ìýmay apply for a work permit directly at a Port of Entry to Canada. Such residents do not need to apply for a work permit at the consulate Visa Application Centre or online in their home country. Apply at the Port of Entry to Canada and provideÌý the Canadian Border ServicesÌýOfficer at the Port of EntryÌýall documentation and payment as follows: application processing fee, citizenship card, passport, degree certification,Ìý postdoc appointment letter, and proof of Offer of Employment/LMIA exemption submission (IMM5802 Submission e-receipt).ÌýÌý

Refer to theÌýfor further information.

Minor children

When entering Canada with an adult holding a valid work permit, school-aged children do not need a permit to study in Canada. Indicate on the work permit application that dependent children will be entering Canada with the applicant. When entering the country, parents/ guardians must provide each child's birth certificate, citizenship card, health records, and passport. For more information, please refer to theÌý.

Other parenting and caregiving resources

°Õ³ó±ðÌýfollowing is a list of other valuable parenting and caregiving resources you may want to access during your time at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.

  • Mini fridge access for milk storage: If you are a lactating person in need of milk storage, you can reach out to equity@uwaterloo.ca to arrange to have a mini fridge put in your office on campus.
  • Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ : Includes information on prenatal programs, child development services, nutrition tools, and more.
  • Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ : Includes information and contacts for Alzheimer’s societies, brain injury associations, long term care planning, and more.
  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ : Provides information on free or low cost family activities including free skates, movies, festivals, and more.
  • Kitchener : Provides information on free or low cost family activities similar to the above.
  • : Provides a community of local moms with social and educational programs.
  • : Centres free to all families in Ontario offering a variety of programs and services for children aged 0-6. Families can also connect with early childhood professionals.
  • Parenting social media groups: These can be a great place to ask questions about other’s experiences and recommendations. Some examples include and .