As a parent with five kids, Amber MacDuff knows all too well how difficult it can be finding reliable and affordable childcare in Haliburton County.
The Gooderham resident is already working to address the reliability – opening Highlands Childcare Group at the heart of the rural hamlet. The daycare operation has taken over the ground floor of 1023 Gooderham St., the former home of the old Barr General Store. Licensed for up to 20 children, it opened July 13.
MacDuff, who’s youngest two are toddlers aged three and four, said she started seriously investigating opening a daycare in January. Before they were even approved, her partner, Justin, got to work retrofitting the space – he installed a new septic bed, replaced the water system, fitted new floors, designed and built an open-concept play area and designated space for a nap room.
She’s hired three staff to run the daycare. On programming, MacDuff said the aim is to develop loose itineraries for kids based on their interests and development level.
“We believe every child is a unique individual with their own strengths, interests, abilities, experiences and ways of learning… our program statement reflects the view of children as being competent, capable, curious and rich in potential,” MacDuff said. “We recognize children as active participants in their learning and development, who learn best through responsive relationships, exploration, play, inquiry and meaningful experiences.”
Kids enrolled each get a lunch, catered daily by Leo’s Country Hot Table in Bobcaygeon. There’s also constant communication and updates to parents delivered through the Brightwheel app.
Once word started to spread that a daycare was coming to Gooderham, interest went through the roof, MacDuff said. An open house held in May drew dozens of families. This was before the facility even received its accreditation, which came through in early July.
When MacDuff started calling people to share the good news, there was an asterisk attached – because the group had not been onboarded by City of Kawartha Lakes social services, which covers Haliburton County, the childcare fee subsidy some families qualify for wasn’t available.
“So, instead of offering spots at $22 per day we’re having to charge $70 per day,” MacDuff said, noting the daycare has filled 11 of 20 spots, though three are staff member’s children on reduced rates. She said the facility is losing about $2,000 per week following an initial $75,000 investment in the building.
“We hear people say all the time how desperate we are for childcare services, but this is the reality, this is why people don’t or can’t set up their own licensed facility – it’s so expensive,” MacDuff said. “The tough part now is having to deliver disappointing news to families who were excited, but who I know won’t be able to afford this.”
In the meantime, MacDuff and Justin are relying on income from an adjoining ice cream shop they opened over the May long weekend. After partnering with Kawartha Dairy, the couple sold more than 700 cones in their first two days.
MacDuff said once the daycare is running at full capacity the business will be profitable. She’s hoping the city can do something soon to make things affordable for Gooderham families.
Kawartha Lakes’ children services department told The Highlander new daycares must be enrolled in the Canada-wide early learning and childcare (CWELCC) system with the city to access funding, including the childcare subsidy and other reduced fees. All money is provided by the federal and provincial governments. Staff said all available spaces for new operators had been allocated for 2026.
“The city is tracking requests from organizations interested in being informed of any expansion opportunities in 2027,” the city said, without providing firmer timelines.
As of June 30, 2026 there were 1,451 children on the centralized childcare waitlist across the broader service area, which includes the County of Haliburton and City of Kawartha Lakes, with an estimated wait time of 3.2 years. Of those, 244 are located in Haliburton County, with an estimated wait time of 2.9 years.
