Lower Child Care Fees (Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System)
Lower Child Care Fees (Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System) is a discount run by the City of Toronto for families with a child under 6 at a licensed child care centre or home child care agency that is enrolled in CWELCC. Checked on the official page on October 4, 2026.
You likely qualify if: Families with a child under 6; At a licensed program enrolled in CWELCC.
No application and no deadline for the lower fee. Many centres have wait lists, so get on them early. Canada and Ontario extended their child care agreement to March 31, 2027.
Free. Never pay anyone to apply.
Call 311Send to someone who needs thisChecked on October 4, 2026 on the official page
We last read this on October 4, 2026. That was a while ago, so please check their own website before you rely on it, and tell us below if something changed.
Canada and Ontario pay part of the cost of licensed child care so families pay less. At child care programs enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day. The provincial average is $19 a day. The Ontario page, updated September 2026, still lists the $22 a day cap.
Who qualifies
Families with a child under 6 at a licensed child care centre or home child care agency that is enrolled in CWELCC. You do not have to apply for the lower fee. The reduction applies when the provider charges more than $12 a day. Families with low income can also apply separately for a City of Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy.
You likely qualify if:
- Families with a child under 6
- At a licensed program enrolled in CWELCC
How to apply
- Apply on their website.
- Questions? 311
- Come back here and tell us if it worked.
Other ways, if that one is quiet
Where else they are
Their website is toronto.ca/community-people/community-partn....
Good to know
- CostFees capped at $22 a day for a child under 6 at an enrolled program
- LanguagesEnglish
- Their stepsOpen the City of Toronto A to Z list of licensed child care centres and look for Yes in the CWELCC participating column, or search by location with Find a Child Care Near You. For home child care, see the City's Home Child Care Agencies page. Contact the centres you like and ask to join their wait list. Get on wait lists early. Ask the centre to confirm it is enrolled in CWELCC. Enrolled providers must say so in their parent handbook. You do not need to apply for the lower fee. If your income is low, also apply for a City of Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy (416-338-8888) to pay even less.
Did this way in answer?
Talk to a person: call 2-1-1, any time
Something wrong? Tell us
What to bring
- Nothing. The lower fee needs no application
Dates
No application and no deadline for the lower fee. Many centres have wait lists, so get on them early. Canada and Ontario extended their child care agreement to March 31, 2027.
Source
Checked on October 4, 2026 on the official pageRun by City of Toronto.
We read this on their own website on October 4, 2026. Read from: ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-early-..., toronto.ca/community-people/community..., toronto.ca/.../a2za.html, toronto.ca/.../child-care-locator, toronto.ca/.../licensed-child-care, canada.ca/en/employment-social-develo..., toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-s..., toronto.ca/.../home-child-care-agencies.
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