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How the federal-Ontario childcare deal works, who qualifies, how to apply, and what families actually pay in 2025.
Ontario signed a landmark childcare agreement with the federal government in 2021, committing to reduce regulated childcare fees to an average of $100/day by 2025–2026. Significant fee reductions have already taken effect at licensed childcare centres across the province. Here's what Ontario families need to know.
The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement provides federal funding to provinces to reduce fees at participating licensed childcare centres. Ontario opted into this program, and licensed operators who signed on to the CWELCC system have reduced their fees substantially.
Ontario committed to reaching an average of $100/day by the end of the federal deal. Progress as of 2025: fees at participating centres have been reduced by roughly 500–66% from 2021 levels, with further reductions ongoing.
| Child Age Group | Pre-Program Monthly Cost (approx.) | 2025 Reduced Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 18 months) | $1,800–$2,500 | $800–$1,200 |
| Toddler (18 months–2.5 years) | $1,400–$1,900 | $600–$900 |
| Preschool (2.5–4 years) | $1,100–$1,600 | $450–$750 |
| Before/after school | $600–$900 | $300–$500 |
Note: Costs vary significantly by region, municipality, and individual operator. Toronto typically has higher fees than smaller cities and rural areas.
Any family using a licensed childcare centre that has enrolled in the CWELCC program is eligible for the reduced fees — no application, no income test. The fee reduction applies automatically at participating centres.
Separately, Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act provides income-tested subsidies for lower-income families who need additional support beyond the CWELCC fee reductions.
On top of the CWELCC fee reductions, Ontario's existing child care subsidy program provides additional financial help for lower-income families. To apply:
Only licensed, regulated childcare centres that have signed on to the CWELCC agreement participate in the fee reduction program. This includes:
The fee reductions have significantly increased demand for regulated childcare spots. Wait lists at popular centres in major Ontario cities can be 1–3 years long. Best practice for new parents:
Even with reduced fees, you can still claim child care expenses on your federal tax return. The lower-income parent claims the deduction. Annual limits are $8,000 for children under 7, $5,000 for children 7–16. This can reduce your tax bill by $1,500–$3,500 depending on your marginal tax rate.
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Get KOHO Free — Use Code BREMO2026Ontario's participation in the federal childcare deal has meaningfully reduced costs for families using licensed centres, with average fees roughly halved from 2021 levels. Additional income-tested subsidies are available through municipalities for lower-income families. The main challenges remain: wait lists and the fact that unlicensed providers don't qualify. Apply early, verify your provider participates, and claim the child care expense deduction every tax year.