Your child & city
Methodology & sources
CWELCC-capped option
- $22/day flat cap for children under 6 at licensed centres and licensed home child care agencies enrolled in CWELCC, frozen through Dec 31, 2026 (Ontario did not reach $10/day). Provincial average actually paid ≈ $19/day.
- Monthly figure uses the CCPA convention of 21.7 days: $22 × 21.7 ≈ $477/month (≈$5,727/year). Coverage: 93% of licensed spaces for ages 0–5 are in CWELCC-enrolled programs (June 2026). Verify enrollment in writing — "licensed" ≠ "CWELCC-enrolled."
Licensed centre & licensed home figures
- Median monthly full-time full-day fees from the CCPA "Measuring Matters" 10th-annual fee survey (phone survey of licensed centres + regulated home child care, published October 2023). These are mid-reduction (52.75% off March-2022 market) figures — vintage labeled, not current; they are shown for comparison against the current $22/day cap.
- 2023 medians by city and age group (centre / home): Toronto $938/$656 infant, $733/$656 toddler, $637/$605 preschool · Markham $861/$441, $667/$441, $600/$379 · Mississauga $774/$513, $630/$513, $574/$482 · Brampton $795/$504, $630/$504, $562/$434 · Vaughan $810/$533, $676/$462, $627/$482 · Oakville $851/$574, $687/$513, $617/$492 · Richmond Hill $799/$567, $674/$588, $574/$567 · Ottawa $725/$475, $657/$475, $526/$475 · Hamilton $697/$431, $583/$431, $502/$410 · Kitchener $838/$626, $607/$502, $555/$482 · London $625/$451, $605/$451, $532/$451 · Windsor $472/$410, $415/$349, $379/$349.
- Cities outside the CCPA survey (Kingston, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Barrie, Guelph, Oshawa): pre-cap city medians are unavailable; the $22/day cap applies province-wide by regulation.
"Until kindergarten" estimate
- A rough estimate multiplying the monthly rate by typical months remaining before full-day kindergarten (age 4): infant ≈ 36 months, toddler ≈ 24 months, preschool ≈ 12 months. Clearly labeled as an estimate — actual timing depends on the child's birthdate and school-year cutoffs.
Sources
- CCPA "Measuring Matters" (Oct 2023), Table 3: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/measuring-matters-FINAL-October-27-2023.pdf
- CCPA 2026 report (Ontario cities at $22/day; savings vs 2020): https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/the-price-is-not-right-yet-10-a-day-child-care-falling-short-of-target/
- ontario.ca — Canada-Ontario Early Years and Child Care Agreement (cap, average, 93% enrollment): https://www.ontario.ca/page/canada-ontario-early-years-and-child-care-agreement
- City of Hamilton — $22/day cap in force through Dec 31, 2026 (O. Reg. 137/15): https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/operating-business/child-care-licensees/canada-wide-early-learning-and-child-care
Not financial advice. Published survey medians and program caps, shown for planning. Confirm fees directly with any provider — especially whether they are CWELCC-enrolled.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CWELCC childcare fee cap in Ontario in 2026?
Fees at CWELCC-enrolled licensed programs are frozen at a $22/day flat cap through Dec 31, 2026 (≈$477/month), with a provincial average of roughly $19/day. The $10-a-day target was abandoned.
Is licensed home child care cheaper than a centre?
In 2026, at CWELCC-enrolled providers both are capped at the same $22/day, so the difference is moot for current fees. In the 2023 survey, licensed homes typically ran $150–$400/month below centres.
Which cities have data?
Historical 2023 medians cover 12 Ontario cities: Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, and Windsor. The 2026 $22/day cap applies province-wide.
Is the CWELCC reduction automatic?
Yes — no parent application is needed. About 93% of licensed spaces for ages 0–5 are in enrolled programs, but always verify enrollment directly, in writing.
What doesn't CWELCC cover?
Only base fees are reduced. Late pickup fees, bank charges, and optional field trips/transportation aren't. Providers that opt out of CWELCC charge unregulated market rates — Toronto non-CWELCC infant care runs roughly $70–90+/day.
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