Manitoba child care costs: maximum daily fees, who pays them and how to find a space
Quick summary
At licensed, funded child care in Manitoba, parents of infant and preschool children pay a maximum of $10 a day for 4 to 10 hours of care. Fees are lower for shorter days and higher for days over 10 hours. Fit child care into your whole budget with thebudget planner.
Checked November 2, 2026. Main source: Government of Manitoba: Child Care Fees. See all 4 sources.
The maximum daily fees
The Government of Manitoba lists the most a funded child care facility can charge per child, per day. These fees are listed as effective September 13, 2026.
| Type of space | Hours of care a day | Maximum fee per child |
|---|---|---|
| Infant and preschool | Less than 4 hours | $5 |
| Infant and preschool | 4 to 10 hours | $10 |
| Infant and preschool | More than 10 hours | $15 |
| School age, regular school days | 1 period of attendance | $6.15 |
| School age, regular school days | 2 periods | $8.60 |
| School age, regular school days | 3 periods | $10 |
| School age, in-service days and school holidays | Less than 4 hours | $5 |
| School age, in-service days and school holidays | 4 to 10 hours | $10 |
| School age, in-service days and school holidays | More than 10 hours | $15 |
Source: Government of Manitoba, Child Care Fees. The province says that if this table differs from the Child Care Regulation, the Regulation applies. Checked November 2, 2026.
What that adds up to
Here is a simple example. One infant or preschool child in funded care for 4 to 10 hours on 20 days in a month would pay at most $200 (20 days times $10). That is our arithmetic using the maximum fee, not a bill. Your real cost depends on the days your child attends and the hours of care.
Funded and unfunded facilities
- Licensed, non-profit centres and child care homes that receive provincial operating grants are called funded facilities. They must follow the maximum fees.
- Licensed centres and homes without operating grants (unfunded) can set their own fees for families who do not get subsidy. They cannot charge subsidized families more than the maximum daily fees.
- The province says over 1,000 licensed child care facilities must follow the $10 maximum.
- Families do not apply for the lower fees. If your child is in a licensed, funded facility, you get the rate automatically.
- The Child Care Subsidy Program continues to help eligible families. Check the province's subsidy page for who qualifies, because we did not summarize the rules here.
Sources: Government of Manitoba, $10 a Day Child Care and Frequently Asked Questions for Families. Checked November 2, 2026.
The four kinds of child care
- Non-profit centres. These must be licensed.
- For-profit centres. These must be licensed.
- Home-based providers (child care homes). A home must be licensed if it cares for more than four children, including no more than two under two years old. The provider's own children count.
- Unlicensed private child care homes. These are not monitored. The province does investigate reports of homes with too many children.
Source: Government of Manitoba, Frequently Asked Questions for Families. Checked November 2, 2026. Licensed facilities must post their licence, so ask the provider to show you where it is.
How to find a space
- Use Manitoba Child Care Search at childcaresearch.gov.mb.ca to find licensed facilities by location, hours and availability.
- When you find a facility with an open space that meets your needs, contact it directly to arrange care.
- To check whether a facility is funded and what it can charge, use the same search.
- For problems at a licensed facility, talk to the director or your child care coordinator. Child Care Information Services can give you the coordinator's contact details at 204-945-0776 in Winnipeg or 1-888-213-4754 toll free.
Source: Government of Manitoba, Frequently Asked Questions for Families. We did not confirm details about waitlists or a registry, so ask each facility how it handles a waitlist. Checked November 2, 2026.
Where to go next
Questions people ask
How much does child care cost in Manitoba?
At funded facilities the maximum for an infant or preschool child is $10 a day for 4 to 10 hours of care, $5 for under 4 hours and $15 for over 10 hours. Fees are listed as effective September 13, 2026.
Do I have to apply for the $10 a day rate?
No. The province says families with children in licensed, funded facilities get the rates automatically.
Are all licensed centres limited to $10?
No. Funded facilities must follow the maximum fees. Unfunded licensed facilities can set their own fees for families without subsidy, but cannot charge subsidized families more than the maximum.
How do I find licensed child care?
Use Manitoba Child Care Search at childcaresearch.gov.mb.ca, then contact facilities directly.
What does school-age care cost?
On regular school days the maximum ranges from $6.15 for one period to $10 for three periods. On in-service days and school holidays it is $5, $10 or $15 depending on the hours.