Canada-Ontario early learning and child care agreement

To provide families with more affordable licensed child care, Ontario is participating in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. The program is intended to reduce child care fees for eligible children under age six enrolled in participating licensed child care programs, while Ontario continues working toward an average of $10-a-day child care.

What this means for families

Families with children in Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System-enrolled licensed child care programs may be eligible for reduced fees. The program generally applies to licensed child care centres and licensed home child care agencies serving children up to five years of age, including children who turn six before June 30 in certain eligible licensed settings. 

In Ontario, child care fees were reduced in phases:

• April 1, 2022 - fees were reduced by up to 25 per cent
• Dec. 31, 2022 - fees were further reduced, for a total reduction of 52.75 per cent from 2020 fee levels
• Jan. 1, 2025 - base fees for eligible children in Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System enrolled programs were capped at $22 per day or less, with the provincial average at about $19 per day 

Programs that are not eligible

Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System does not apply to

• Children six to 12 years of age who are not otherwise eligible under the provincial rules
• Camps and authorized recreation programs
• Unlicensed child care centres and unlicensed home child care
• Unlicensed school board operated extended day programs 

Licensed child care providers that do not enrol in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System do not receive funding from this program and may continue to set their own child care fees. They are not required to provide fee reductions.

Families with children birth to five years old enrolled in this program are not eligible for child care fee subsidy. In limited pre-existing arrangements, subsidy may be continued until the child leaves or ages out of the program.