Daycare cost in Toronto: what you'll actually pay

A plain breakdown of licensed centre fees, CWELCC discounts, home daycare rates, and the subsidies that reduce them — updated for 2026.

The short answer

Most Toronto families with a child in a CWELCC-enrolled licensed centre pay between $400 and $600 per month in 2026, on track toward the federal $10-a-day target. Outside CWELCC, the same spot costs $1,400 to $2,400 per month depending on age group.

What is CWELCC ($10-a-day)?

CWELCC — the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system — is a federal-provincial agreement that subsidizes licensed care for children under 6. In Ontario the program rolled out in phases:

• 2022: 25% fee reduction
• 2023: 52.75% reduction off March 2022 base fees
• 2025: average fees reduced to roughly $19/day
• 2026: target of $10/day for all enrolled spaces

Centres opt in. When they do, the discount is applied to your invoice automatically — you don't claim a rebate. On our centre list you'll see a CWELCC badge on every participating location.

Licensed vs unlicensed: a side-by-side

Unlicensed care looks cheaper at first glance, but a CWELCC spot in a licensed centre will almost always be the lowest monthly cost once the discount is applied. Unlicensed providers also fall outside Ministry oversight: no inspections, no caregiver-to-child ratio rules, no required CPR or first aid.

Subsidies that stack on top of CWELCC

Toronto Children's Services administers an income-tested fee subsidy that pays a share of the remaining CWELCC fee. Eligibility depends on household income, family size, and the reason care is needed (work, school, medical). Apply at the City of Toronto website before you sign an enrolment contract — the waitlist runs months long.

Federally, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is not tied to daycare but often offsets fees. The Child Care Expense Deduction lets the lower-income spouse deduct up to $8,000/year for children under 7.

Hidden costs to budget for

• Registration or waitlist deposit ($50–$300, sometimes non-refundable)
• One-time enrolment fee ($100–$500)
• Field trip, supply, and diaper fees not covered by CWELCC
• Late pickup penalty (often $1–$5 per minute after closing)
• August closure weeks that you still pay for

Plan your shortlist

Most Toronto centres have 12–24 month waitlists. The cheapest path is usually: get on five to ten CWELCC waitlists early, confirm your spot every 90 days, and apply for the city fee subsidy in parallel. Browse centres on the map and start tracking the ones you've contacted.