Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
At the University of Waterloo, we are proud to have a diverse community of postdocs, many of whom have spouses/partners and/or children - a surey of postdocs in March 2023 indicated that 62% of postdocs are married or living with a partners and 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:
- The Family Health Clinic
- International Spouses of UW
- Local daycares and schools
The Family Health Clinic
The Family Health Clinic, located in Health Services, provides primary care to postdoctoral fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and their families. Immediate family members who come to Waterloo to support an individual during their academic career at the University of Waterloo are also eligible to register.
The clinic addresses a growing need to support postdoctoral researchers and their families who move to Waterloo Region. Whether you are here for four months or four years, the Family Health Clinic is here to provide primary care to you and your family, including immunizations, documentation, prenatal and well-child checkups. Visit their website to register.
International Spouses of UW
The International Spouses of UW group brings together international spouses of Waterloo students, postdcos, professors and staff members. This is a chance to meet other spouses, learn about Waterloo and go on outings together. The group also 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 enroled 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. Waterloo Region also has a range of childcare facilitates (daycares) for children four years old and under.
Waterloo Region daycare centres
Waterloo Region has a range of childcare facilities for children four-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, OneList, which is operated by Waterloo Region. University of Waterloo postdocs receive priority placement at Bright Starts Early Learning, a daycare located on campus, but keep in mind that the waitlist is still quite long. You are welcome to contact local childcare centres to ask about their waitlist policies, and the current waitlist length.
Waterloo Region’s school system
International postdoctoral fellows will hold a valid work permit once in Canada. This permit allows parents/guardians of international postdoctoral fellows to enrol their children in a public school free of charge. There are four school boards in Waterloo Region that parents may be eligible to enrol their children in:
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud/Catholic District School Board Centre South (Roman Catholic separate, French-language school board)
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French-language public school board)
Prior to entering their child in a Waterloo-area school, parents/guardians will be required to provide the school with a number of documents. For example, the Waterloo Region Distric 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 Waterloo Region. Please visit the school board websites for details on documentation required to enrol your children in school.
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, visit OneList.