Toronto child care subsidy, explained

Who can apply?

Toronto lists children up to age 12 and families living in, or moving to, Toronto. Each parent or guardian must be employed, in school or planning to attend school, or there must be an extra support need affecting a parent, guardian or child.

Parents or guardians generally need to have filed their most recent income taxes. Toronto allows exceptions for people who immigrated to Canada this year and applicants under 18. Ask the City how your circumstances fit.

Sources: Apply for a Child Care Fee Subsidy — eligibility and online application

Check the official calculator

Use the linked Child Care Fee Subsidy Calculator with the number of children needing care and the family income information it requests from your latest Notice of Assessment or Reassessment. It estimates possible eligibility and your daily contribution; avoid relying on a single income cutoff or another family’s fees.

Sources: Child Care Fee Subsidy Calculator

Gather the documents that apply to you

• Income, address and identification Prepare income verification, such as Notices of Assessment or applicable social assistance proof; a recent accepted address document; and identification for each family member.
• Your reason for needing care Depending on your situation, gather payslips or an employment letter, school enrolment and timetable, or extra support documentation. Self-employed applicants have additional requirements. Custody or guardianship documents may also apply.

Sources: Child Care Fee Subsidy — Required Documents

Use the City’s full checklist to choose accepted documents. A caseworker may request more information; documents can be uploaded through My Child Care Account.

Apply, then keep looking for a space

Follow the City’s application link below or call 416-338-8888. Ontario Works recipients should contact their caseworker. Save your confirmation and contact your preferred programs about their waitlists. When your subsidy turn arrives, a caseworker assesses eligibility; an offer still requires finding a suitable program.

There is a specific exception for City-run Toronto Early Learning & Child Care Services (TELCCS): a subsidy application also adds you to the waitlists of the TELCCS programs you select. Confirm registration directly with other providers.

Sources: Apply for a Child Care Fee Subsidy — eligibility and online application · TELCCS — Waitlist Registration

Fee subsidy and CWELCC are different

CWELCC lowers fees at participating licensed programs, primarily for eligible children under six. Fee subsidy is separately assessed support for eligible families. Ask both: “Is this location in CWELCC?” and “Can it accept Toronto fee subsidy for my child’s age group?” Confirm the applicable fee and sixth-birthday timing with the provider.

Do not assume a non-CWELCC program can accept a new subsidy placement. Toronto’s funding rules preserve some existing arrangements and provide for subsidy at programs exclusively serving ages six to 12. Ask your caseworker to confirm your proposed placement before committing.

Sources: Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care — information for families · 2026 Funding Requirements Guideline, page 4 (PDF)