Update on Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Program ("$10 a Day")

The need for affordable child care in Halton has never been greater. Halton Region receives Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care ($10 a day child care) funding and spaces from the Provincial Government to support access to affordable child care across the Region.

No new $10 a day community-based spaces were allocated in Halton in 2024 or 2025. Only 347 new community-based spaces are being funded by the Provincial Government in 2026. The number of $10 a day child care spaces allocated to Halton Region from the Provincial Government remains insufficient to meet growing community need.

Earlier this year, Halton Region invited applications from child care operators interested in opening spaces under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system. We are working as quickly as possible to confirm community-based space allocations.

We recognize that many Halton families continue to be unable to access affordable child care. Every family should have access to high quality and affordable child care if they need it. We continue our advocacy efforts with the Provincial Government for more $10 a day child care spaces so more Halton families can access affordable child care.

Please return to this webpage for future updates. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

About the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System

On March 28, 2022, the Federal and Provincial Governments announced a new funding agreement that will reduce the average cost of child care in Ontario.

Only families with eligible children under age 6 enrolled in participating child care programs will receive lower fees.

Effective January 1, 2025, fees are capped at no more than $22 per day. It is anticipated that in March 2026, licensed child care fees will be lowered to an average of $10 per day.

For more information from the Province, visit More Child Care Fee Reductions Coming for Ontario Families (external link).

Halton Region’s Role

Halton Region is the Service System Manager for early years and child care in legislation. Halton Region plans, administers and funds early years and licensed child care programs to maintain affordable and high-quality care across the region. In this capacity the Region is required by the Ministry of Education to administer the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program.

While administered locally by the Region, CWELCC is primarily funded by the federal and provincial governments. All CWELCC funding and space allocations are determined by the provincial Ministry of Education.

Halton Region’s role in CWELCC is to:

• implement provincial guidelines;
• develop and implement local policies, procedures and guidelines;
• develop and implement an application and approval process for CWELCC;
• administer CWELCC funding and enter into CWELCC Service Agreements;
• provide oversight and reconciliation of CWELCC funding; and
• report to the Ministry of Education and Halton Regional Council on CWELCC.

CWELCC Eligibility

The Province of Ontario has determined the eligibility requirements for CWELCC. Only families with eligible children enrolled in participating child care programs will receive lower fees. If your licensed child centre or licensed home child care agency does not participate, your provider is not required to lower your child care fees.

All eligible children receiving licensed home child care at a premises overseen by an agency are eligible for fee reductions.

For more information, please read the eligibility requirements for child care fee subsidies below. If eligibility criteria are met, you will be approved for fee subsidy and informed of the amount to pay your child care provider.

CWELCC Frequently Asked Questions

Child Care Fee Subsidy

To be eligible for child care fee subsidy, you must:

• live in Halton Region
• be working, training, attending school, or have a medical and/or exceptional circumstance
• have children from birth to 12 years of age in licensed child care programs
• be financially eligible for the child care fee subsidy

To receive the fee subsidy, children must also be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• CWELCC-enrolled centre/agency (fee subsidy available for children aged 0 to 12)
• a centre/agency exclusively serving children aged 6 to 12
• camps and children’s recreation programs
• before and after school program offered directly by school boards
• before and after school programs operated by third party programs
• unlicensed child care for Ontario works participants

Financial eligibility depends on your income. You must have filed an income tax return and completed an income test to determine if you qualify for child care fee subsidy. You will also need a recent copy of one of the following documents:

• Federal Notice of Assessment or Reassessment (NOA) (external link)
• Canada Child Benefit Notice (external link)

Child care subsidy calculator

The fee subsidy is based on your family's total income and child care costs. Use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator to check if you are eligible for a fee subsidy and the amount you qualify for.

Note: This tool does not guarantee eligibility for the program.

Applying for child care fee subsidy

To apply for child care fee subsidy:

1. Create a My Child Care Account and complete the application form (external link).
2. Upload one of the following documents to complete your application:
   • most recent Notice of Assessment
   • most recent Canada Child Benefit Notice
   • most recent OW or ODSP statement
   • if you are a newcomer and have not filed your taxes, submit confirmation of your arrival date into Canada (PR Card, Refugee Claimant Document, Work or School Visa)

If you require assistance with your application, please call 311.