The short answer: child care in Toronto is not $10 a day yet. Under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, licensed providers in Ontario that opted in can charge no more than $22 a day for children under six, a cap in place since January 1, 2025. That is still a large saving compared with fees before the program, but spaces are limited and waitlists are long. Here is how it works and how to improve your chances of getting a spot.
CWELCC is a federal-provincial program launched in 2021-22. Ottawa funds provinces and territories to reduce regulated child care fees and create new spaces, with the goal of bringing fees down to $10 a day on average. The federal government reports that more than half of provinces and territories reached $10 a day or less by April 2024. Ontario cut fees by more than half but has not reached the $10 average. The initial five-year agreements ended March 31, 2026; according to the Government of Canada, Ontario signed a one-year extension covering fiscal 2026-27, while most other provinces signed five-year extensions.
In a participating centre or home child care agency, the daily fee for a child under six cannot exceed $22. A national fee survey published in August 2026 by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found that most Toronto families without a subsidy pay the full $22 for infants and preschoolers, and that Toronto parents of infants save more than $1,800 a month compared with inflation-adjusted 2019 fees.
At $22 a day, a full-time space costs roughly $460 to $480 a month, depending on the number of operating days. Families with lower incomes can pay less through Toronto’s Child Care Fee Subsidy. School-age programs for older children are not covered by the $22 cap.
The City of Toronto’s fact sheet (data to December 2025) breaks down the 54,224 spaces at participating centres:
| Age group | CWELCC spaces |
|---|---|
| Infant | 4,102 |
| Toddler | 11,439 |
| Preschool | 23,078 |
| Before/after school | 15,605 |
The numbers explain why infant care is the hardest to find: infants require more staff per child, so centres offer far fewer infant spaces than preschool spaces. Families who need care at 12 months should start looking early and keep options open, including licensed home child care.
Participation is voluntary, but most Toronto providers joined. Check before you register:
Unlicensed home providers are not part of CWELCC and can set their own fees.
If the $22 fee is still too much, the City’s Child Care Fee Subsidy can cover all or part of the cost. Based on current funding, the City reports about 30,700 subsidies available, with a waiting list. Eligibility depends on family income and need (work, school or other reasons). Apply through the City of Toronto and use the City’s subsidy calculator to estimate your share.
Toronto has French-language licensed child care and Indigenous early learning and child care programs. Both are listed on the City’s licensed child care pages. If you plan to send your child to a French-language school later, our school registration guide explains eligibility.
Even at $22 a day, child care is one of the largest costs for young families. Compare it with rent and transit in our Toronto cost of living guide. Federal benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, paid by the Canada Revenue Agency, can offset part of the cost; you must file a tax return each year to keep receiving it.
No. The maximum fee at participating programs is $22 a day for children under six. Some families pay less with a fee subsidy.
CWELCC covers children under six, which can include before- and after-school care for kindergarten children at participating programs. Ask each provider how they apply it.
Licensed centres and home child care agencies in Ontario cannot charge a fee or deposit to put your child on a waitlist.
Fees and program rules may change as Ontario’s agreement with Ottawa is renewed. Check with the City of Toronto or your provider before committing.
Last updated: November 2026
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