Child Care Costs in Ontario in 2026

    Which province or territory are you in?

    Daily fee
    $22
    About a month
    $478.50
    About a year
    $5,742

    Fees at participating centres are capped at $22 a day.

    Who qualifies

    Licensed centres in the Canada-wide system. Toronto lists its centre fees as all-inclusive and payable for statutory holidays.

    Subsidy

    Fee subsidies are run by your municipality or service manager. Ask your local office for the income test.

    How to apply

    Ask the centre, and your municipal child care office for a fee subsidy.

    Extras

    • The median in Ontario's large cities in 2026 is $22 for infants and preschool.
    • Toronto's published rate was $22 a day for infants, toddlers and preschool (schedule effective January 1, 2025). Check the City for the current page.
    What you can claim
    1. Canada Child Benefit: up to $8,157 a year for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 for ages 6 to 17 (July 2026 to June 2027), based on family income.

    2. Child Disability Benefit: up to $3,480 a year for each eligible child. It needs the Disability Tax Credit.

    3. Child care expenses deduction: you can usually deduct what you pay for child care so you can work or study. Claim it on line 21400 with form T778. The limits depend on the child's age and disability, and the lower-income spouse usually claims it. Keep every receipt. Check the current limits:

    4. Canada Education Savings Grant (RESP): the government adds 20% on the first $2,500 you put in each year, so up to $500 a year, to $7,200 for each child over a lifetime. Lower-income families can get up to $600 a year.

    5. Canada Learning Bond: $500 in the first eligible year and $100 a year after that up to age 15, to a $2,000 maximum, with no contribution needed. For children born on or after January 1, 2004 in lower-income families.

    6. Canadian Dental Care Plan: families under an income limit may qualify for dental coverage for children. Check eligibility:

    These programs have their own income tests. Check each official page before you rely on a figure.

    Compare with

    Sources

    Checked October 19, 2026. Education, not financial or legal advice.