Information for families - Helping families with child care costs

What are the maximum subsidy amounts for 2023/24?

 For 2023/24, the maximum CCFR subsidy amounts are 60% of the total fees charged to a maximum of:

Space Type

2022/23 Subsidy Maximum
Per Child

2023/24 Subsidy Maximum
Per Child

Infant space (0-23 months)

$545/month

$665/month

Preschool (2 – 5 years)

$475/month

$640/month

Out-of-School (3 years to 5 years)

$165/month

$175/month

When will I experience these further reductions?

Licensed early learning and child care programs have the ability to decide if they charge full fees up front or immediately reduce fees paid by families. The CCFR Subsidy increases to 60%, up to the identified maximum, on April 1, 2023. Depending on when licensed early learning and child care programs process fees, families my experience these reductions at different times.

Do families get the CCFR subsidy for more than one child attending a licensed early learning and child care program?

Yes. The CCFR subsidy applies to all children ages five years and younger attending a licensed early learning and child care program, including families with more than one child attending a licensed program.  For example, if a family had a second child age five and under in a program, they would receive the CCFR subsidy for both children based on the subsidy rate for the space.

Will my subsidy increase in future years?

Yes. The CCFR subsidy for families will increase again in April 2024, and eventually move the territory towards an average of $10 a day child care by March 2026.

What are the fee increase ranges for licensed programs?

Licensed programs will be able to increase their fees by 2 – 6%, depending on the total fee rates being charged by that program for infant and preschool spaces, and by a flat rate of $10 per month for out-of-school.

Tier

Current Fee Rates

% Increase

1

Up to $650

The greater of $650 or 6%

2

$651-$999

6%

3

$1,000-$1,199

4%

4

$1,200 or higher

2%

Will families pay more for licensed child care?

Increases to licensed early learning and child care fees will not impact fees for families with children five and under. With additional government funding, child care program operators may receive more while families pay less.

The Canada-wide ELCC Agreement (2021-2026) is focused on reducing child care fees for children five years of age and younger. The CCFR Subsidy is not applicable for children over the age of five.

Will the licensed program lose revenue through the Subsidy?

No, licensed programs will not lose revenue by opting-in to the CCFR Subsidy and will receive additional funding as a bonus of up to $1,800 for family day homes, and up to $18,000 for centre-based programs annually to administer the funding that reduces child care fees for families.

The CCFR Subsidy has been developed to provide families with more affordable child care. It does not reduce or change the other funding a licensed program currently receives from ECE. By participating in the CCFR Subsidy, licensed programs will continue to receive the same amount of child care fees as revenue. Fees will be reduced for families and the other portion of monthly child care fees will be funded by ECE through the Subsidy so families will pay less.

After-school fees for my school-aged child older than five years old will be higher than the fees I pay for my four or five year old child. Why is the CCFR Subsidy only applicable for children aged five years and younger?

The Canada-wide ELCC Agreement (2021-2026) is focused on reducing child care fees for children five years of age and younger. The CCFR Subsidy is not applicable for children ages six and older.

How do I know if an early learning and child care program has opted-in to the CCFR Subsidy?

A list of licensed programs opting in to the CCFR Subsidy can be found online.

Who is eligible to receive the CCFR Subsidy?

All families with children five years of age and younger registered in a licensed program as of January 2022 are entitled to receive the reduction. The licensed program your child attends must choose to participate in order for families to receive the CCFR Subsidy.

Families with children registered in an unlicensed program and/or in a licensed program that has chosen not to participate in the CCFR Subsidy for families will not be able to receive the refund or monthly fee reduction.

Will I need to apply to receive the refund?

No. You will not need to apply to receive the refund or reduced child care fees from your licensed program. The CCFR Subsidy is provided directly to licensed programs who opt-in to receive the CCFR Subsidy and the savings will be passed on to families.

What about out-of-school licensed programs for children five years of age and younger?

The amount that you will save depends on the age of your child and the program they attend. What about licensed programs for children from age six and older? If your child is age six and older and attends a licensed program you are ineligible for the CCFR Subsidy. The Canada-wide ELCC Agreement is focused on reducing child care fees for children five years of age and younger.