The Government of Canada, in partnership with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous partners, is building a $10 a day daycare program to be in place by 2026.
This program promises to create more than 250,000 new childcare spaces across the country, while bringing down the cost of early learning to less than $10 per day on average.
This benefit program aims to make it easier for parents – particularly mothers – to enter or re-enter the workforce and ensure their children have access to high-quality early childhood education and care.
Key Takeaways
- Canada's $10 a day daycare program aims to create 250,000 new childcare spaces and lower average costs to $10/day across the country by 2026.
- Eligibility varies by province, but most families with children under age 6 qualify.
- The program is already underway, with reduced costs and more spaces available in many regions. More improvements are expected from 2025 to 2026.
What is $10 a day daycare?
The $10 a day daycare program is part of Canada’s Early Learning and Child Care Plan, which aims to create 250,000 affordable child care spaces across the country by 2026.
As part of this plan, the Government of Canada, in partnership with provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous partners, reduced childcare fees across the country by 50% as of 2022.
Going forward, the plan is to reduce childcare fees to $10 per day by 2026.
When does $10 a day child care start in Canada?
The implementation of the $10 a day child care program has already begun, with full implementation expected to be completed by March 2026. The goal is to open 25,000 new early learning and child care spaces by then.
The federal government announced in March of 2025 that 11 out of 13 provinces have agreed to extend their current related agreements until 2031.
$10 a day daycare: 2025 update
Here are the most recent updates on the implementation of $10 daycare in Canada:
Families across Canada are saving money on childcare
While the $10 a day daycare program is not yet fully implemented, as of April 2024 the Government of Canada claims families with child care needs are already saving money.
Here’s a breakdown of estimates of how much families are saving on regulated/licensed child care on an annual basis, as of April 2025 (compared to 2019 data), by province and territory:
- Alberta: Up to $13,700
- British Columbia: Up to $10,800
- Manitoba: Up to $2,800
- New Brunswick: Up to $3,600
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Up to $6,300
- Northwest Territories: Up to $9,120
- Nova Scotia: Up to $6,000
- Nunavut: Up to $16,200
- Ontario: Up to $10,440
- Prince Edward Island: Up to $6,300
- Saskatchewan: Up to $6,900
- Yukon: Up to $7,300
Quebec already has a well-established, affordable program for early learning and childcare.
But not everyone is in support of $10 a day daycare
Despite estimates of big child care savings for families, some day care providers claim they are suffering as a result of the phased-in implementation of fee reductions and the eventual $10 a day child care program.
Maclean’s Magazine reported on one Alberta childcare provider who fears full implementation of the $10 a day child care program may drive her (and potentially other providers) out of business.
Among this provider’s concerns are:
- Government reimbursement delays: In some cases, provincial governments are taking 40 to 45 days to reimburse lowered fees, forcing providers to carry significant debt and interest.
- Rising Inflation: Reimbursement for reducing child care costs do not keep pace with rising inflation and the cost of maintaining a child care centre.
- Reduced quality of care: There are fears of providers having to cut art and music programs, reduce food quality, and lay off child care educators to continue to operate in lieu of fee reductions.
- Reduced daycare supply: The reduced fee mandate may force some childcare centres to close, meaning fewer daycare spots for the growing number of families who need them.
Some providers operating outside the $10 a day system fear their businesses will be destroyed by the new system. Among their concerns are:
- Loss of provincial funding: In Ontario, the provincial government plans to withdraw routine funding for operating costs, fee subsidies, and wage enhancements to non-participating child care centres.
- Loss of care options for families: There are concerns that the new system will force non-participating centres to close, thereby reducing the care options for families.
- Pay will be too low: There are fears that the $10 a day program will force non-participating centres to lose staff because they won’t be able to pay them.
Some daycares are opting out of $10 daycare
Some childcare centres don't want to participate in this program, stating that it's not financially viable for them. They're also uncomfortable with losing control of their operations to the government.
As an example, several Toronto daycare centres announced that they were opting out of the $10 a day program as of January 2025 (though many have since changed their minds).
As CBC News reported, most of the centres that don't wish to participate in this program are for-profit centres. Some are owned by venture capital firms.
The province of Ontario's request to increase participation of for-profit care centers in this $10 a day program was denied. This means that child care centres are missing out on thousands of openings under this program. The federal Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development says that it's hard to believe these venture capital-owned centres have the best interests of the children at heart. Essentially, this is why the province's request was denied.
Who will qualify for $10 a day daycare?
Generally, all Canadian families with children under 6 qualify for the $10 a day daycare program. However, you’re encouraged to check your eligibility with your childcare provider in the province or territory where you live to determine the specifics.
Here are the eligibility basics for some of Canada’s provinces and territories.
- Ontario: All parents/guardians of children under the age of 6 qualify. No need to apply.
- British Columbia: All parents with kids up to age 5 qualify. No need to apply. Only childcare providers (i.e. daycare owners) apply to be eligible for funding, which in turn reduces costs for parents.
- Alberta: All parents of children 0 to kindergarten age. No need to apply. Only childcare providers (i.e. daycare owners) apply to be eligible for funding. Further direct funding for families who make less than $90,000 is also available.
- Manitoba: All parents of children who are enrolled in infant, nursery, and preschool programs for regular hours of care (4-10 hours) at licensed childcare facilities. Also applies to school-age kids who go to these facilities for three periods/day. No need to apply.
- Saskatchewan: All parents/guardians of children under the age of 6 qualify. No need to apply.
- Nunavut: All parents/guardians of children under the age of 6 qualify. No need to apply. Only childcare providers (i.e. daycare owners) apply to be eligible for funding.
Childcare falls under provincial and territorial jurisdiction in Canada. This means that Canada’s $10-a-day childcare program has required cooperation between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, leading to different deals in each part of the country.
Luckily, all provinces and territories are now signed on to the $10-a-day program except for Quebec, where inclusive and affordable childcare was already available.
How $10 a day daycare will work by province
Each province and territory has its own agreement with the federal government. The provinces and territories will provide funding to licensed childcare providers in order to lower fees for parents. Families must enroll their children in eligible child care centres, but won’t need to apply for reduced fees directly.
Provinces are also committing to creating new childcare spaces so parents have more affordable options.
Here are the specifics of how $10 a day child care will work in each province/territory.
| Province/territory | $10 daycare details |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Alberta's child care program, funded with $3.8 billion over five years, aims to reduce fees gradually to an average of $10 a day by 2026, while creating 68,700 new regulated early learning and childcare spaces. |
| British Columbia | British Columbia's child care program aims to create 30,000 new spaces and achieve an average of $10 per day for children under 6 by 2026. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba achieved $10-a-day child care for families in April 2023, and plans to create 23,000 early learning and child care spaces for children aged 6 and under. |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick's agreement includes the creation of 3,400 new childcare spaces at an average cost of $10 per day by 2026, along with increasing the wages of daycare workers. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador's agreement will create about 6,000 new childcare spaces, reduce parent fees for children under 6 to $10 a day, and introduce a full-day, year-round pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds by 2026. |
| Northwest Territories | The Northwest Territories' child care agreement aims to reach $10 a day within five years, while also creating 300 new daycare spaces in the territory by 2026. |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia's $605-million agreement aims to get costs down to $10/day and create 9,500 new spaces by 2026, with the province contributing $40 million over five years. |
| Nunavut | Nunavut's deal plans to cut daycare fees in half by the end of 2022 and reach an average of $10 a day by 2025-26, with the creation of 238 new daycare spots to address the territory's daycare shortage. |
| Ontario | Ontario's agreement will reduce childcare fees gradually to achieve an average of $10 a day by September 2025, and create 86,000 childcare spaces by 2026. |
| Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island made similar commitments as other provinces but plans to reach $10 daycare and create over 450 new spots within two years (an official date has not been announced). |
| Quebec | Quebec's deal allows the province to opt out of the national child care program while still receiving federal funding over five years. The funds can be used as the province sees fit while maintaining its existing $8.50/day daycare program and planning to add more subsidized spaces. |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan's agreement with Ottawa aims to bring child care costs for children under 6 down to $10 a day by 2025-26 and the creation of 28,000 new provincially regulated spaces. |
| Yukon | Yukon's child care agreement includes 110 new regulated child care spaces with the objective of parents paying an average of $10 a day and wage enhancements for early childhood educators. |
How to apply for $10 a day daycare
Currently, you cannot apply for $10 a day child care as the program has not yet been fully rolled out across the country.
Once the program has been implemented, parents/guardians won’t have to apply themselves for $10 a day child care. Child care providers will apply for funding within the program, and be reimbursed for lowering child care costs close to or at the $10 threshold.
Depending on the province or territory you live in, a family that meets eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for a $10 day child care spot, assuming availability.
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When will $10 a day daycare begin in Canada?
While each province and territory is already in the process of gradually lowering daycare costs across the board, the $10 day child care program is not expected to be fully implemented until some time in 2026.
What is $10 a day daycare?
The goal of this plan is to provide affordable and accessible childcare services to Canadian families. Under this plan, the cost of licensed childcare would average out to $10 per day for full-time care, making it significantly more affordable.
How do I qualify for $10 a day daycare?
Nearly all families with children under age six qualify for this program, but each province has unique eligibility criteria. As such, you are encouraged to check your eligibility with your province or territory of residence to determine the specifics.
Is there $10 a day daycare in Ontario?
While daycare may not be $10 a day across the province just yet, Ontario is lowering its daycare costs incrementally. The program's goal is to reduce fees to an average of $10 per day by September 2025.
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