Child care is one of the largest household expenses for Ontario families. In 2026, the federal CWELCC program has reduced regulated centre fees significantly — but not all centres are enrolled, and private costs remain high.
CWELCC Regulated Fees in Ontario
Ontario's enrolled CWELCC centres aim for an average of /day by 2026, down from averages of –/day in 2021. The actual fee depends on the centre and age group:
| Age Group | Average 2021 | Target 2026 | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–18 mo) | /day | /day | ~,800 |
| Toddler (18mo–2.5yr) | /day | /day | ~,000 |
| Preschool (2.5–5yr) | /day | /day | ~,600 |
Tax Deductions and Credits
Whether you use CWELCC or private care, Ontario families benefit from:
- Child Care Expense Deduction (federal): Deduct up to $8,000/child under 7 and 5,000/child 7–16 from income. Claimed by the lower-income spouse.
- Ontario Child Care Tax Credit (CCTC): 75% to 20% of eligible expenses depending on family income (75% below AFNI, phased to 20% at )
Real After-Tax Cost — ,000 Family Income
Private care (240 days × /day) = ,000/year
Federal deduction at 31.48% marginal rate: −,666
Ontario CCTC (~35% at ): −,317
Net cost: ~,017/year
CWELCC care (240 days × /day) = ,400/year
Federal deduction: −
Ontario CCTC: −
Net cost: ~,071/year
Annual saving with CWELCC: ~,946
Federal deduction at 31.48% marginal rate: −,666
Ontario CCTC (~35% at ): −,317
Net cost: ~,017/year
CWELCC care (240 days × /day) = ,400/year
Federal deduction: −
Ontario CCTC: −
Net cost: ~,071/year
Annual saving with CWELCC: ~,946
How do I find a CWELCC-enrolled centre in Ontario?
Use the Ontario government's child care search tool at ontario.ca/page/find-child-care. Not all licensed centres are enrolled in CWELCC. Waitlists can be long — register as early as possible, ideally during pregnancy.
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