Are you an immigrant mom wondering if Quebec's $9.65/day daycare is really cheaper than Ontario's $22/day rate? Confused about whether your work permit or PR status will even qualify you for subsidized childcare? Worried about waitlists that could stretch for years?
I totally get it. When my family lived in Quebec, I navigated everything from expensive private daycare to the coveted CPE system, experiencing firsthand both the incredible affordability and the frustrating access issues. Then we moved to Ontario when my kids started elementary school. While I haven't personally used Ontario daycare here, I've watched countless mom friends struggle with the Ontario childcare subsidy system, high fees, and completely different eligibility rules.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Quebec completely overhauled its daycare registration system in December 2025. The old La Place 0-5 platform is gone, replaced by a new Childcare Services Registration Portal—and you can NO LONGER register unborn children. This is a game-changer for families trying to get on waitlists early.
If you're an immigrant family in Canada trying to decide between Quebec and Ontario—or you're already here and just trying to understand which daycare subsidy you actually qualify for—this complete 2026 guide will break down everything you need to know about Quebec daycare cost, Ontario daycare fees, waitlists, and most importantly, which immigration status actually gets you access.
Quebec Daycare Cost 2026: What You'll Actually Pay
Let's start with the numbers everyone talks about.
Quebec's $9.65 Per Day Flat Rate (2026)
Quebec's subsidized childcare costs $9.65 per day in 2026 for children ages 0-5 in CPE (Centre de la petite enfance) or subsidized private daycares. This applies regardless of your income—whether you earn $40,000 or $140,000, if you're eligible and get a spot, you pay the same low fee.
For full-time care (approximately 20 days per month), that's around $193 per month or $2,316 per year. When we were using this system, the predictability was amazing for our family budget.
Important: In 2025, Quebec's subsidized rate was $9.35 per day, and it increases slightly each January 1st with indexing.
Private Daycare in Quebec (If You Don't Get a Subsidized Spot)
Unsubsidized daycare in Quebec can range from $35 to $60 per day. However, Quebec offers a refundable tax credit for families using private daycare, which can cover 67-78% of eligible expenses depending on your income. This means your actual out-of-pocket cost might be closer to the subsidized rate after tax time.
Ontario Daycare Cost 2026: The CWELCC Program Explained
Ontario takes a completely different approach with its Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program.
Ontario's $22 Per Day Cap (2026)
As of January 1, 2025, most Ontario daycares enrolled in CWELCC have fees capped at $22 per day for children under 6, bringing the provincial average to about $19 per day. This is a huge reduction from pre-2022 rates that often exceeded $60-80 per day.
The CWELCC funding agreement has been extended until at least December 2026, maintaining cost stability at current reduced rates of approximately $19 per day. The original goal of reaching $10/day by March 2026 has been delayed, but families get predictable fees through the end of 2026.
Ontario Childcare Subsidy for Low-Income Families
Here's where Ontario really differs from Quebec: income-based subsidies on top of CWELCC.
Ontario offers childcare fee subsidies for families with children under 13 (or up to 18 with special needs), where the amount depends on family's adjusted net income. Low-income families—typically those earning under $40,000—can qualify for full subsidies, essentially bringing their cost to $0.
This means:
- High-income families: Pay the $19-22/day CWELCC rate (about $400-460/month)
- Low-income families: Can pay $0-$5/day with full subsidies
- Middle-income families: Pay partial subsidized rates based on income testing
Quebec vs Ontario Daycare: Immigrant Eligibility in 2026
This is where things get really important for immigrant families—and where the two provinces differ dramatically.
Who Qualifies for Quebec Subsidized Daycare?
Quebec's subsidized childcare is available to permanent residents, new citizens, most workers with Quebec permits, and recognized refugees or protected persons. However, temporary visitors, foreign students without Quebec scholarships, and refugee claimants waiting for status are generally excluded.
The 2025 Controversy: In July 2025, Quebec issued a directive that would have expelled children of parents with open work permits from subsidized daycares. Parents from France and Ukraine threatened legal action, and Family Minister Suzanne Roy announced that children already in the system could stay, but new applications from open work permit holders would still be restricted.
This created immense stress for immigrant families. I remember reading about Cameroonian mom Suzanne Minkam who barely slept from the anxiety of potentially losing her daycare spot and her job.
Current Status (February 2026):
- ✅ Permanent residents and citizens: Full access, no issues
- ✅ Closed work permits (employer-specific): Generally eligible
- ✅ Recognized refugees/protected persons: Eligible once status confirmed
- ❌ Open work permit holders: Existing children can stay, but new applications face restrictions
- ❌ Refugee claimants awaiting decision: Not eligible until claim accepted
Who Qualifies for Ontario Daycare and Subsidies?
Ontario has broader access for immigrant families:
CWELCC Reduced Rates (No Income Test): The CWELCC program applies automatically to all families with children under 6 in participating daycares, regardless of immigration status or income—about 92% of licensed Ontario providers participate. You don't need to apply; the daycare just charges the reduced rate.
Ontario Childcare Fee Subsidy (Income-Tested): Subsidies are available to families who demonstrate financial need, with children under 13. This includes:
- ✅ Permanent residents
- ✅ Work permit holders (including open permits)
- ✅ Some newcomers prioritized by municipalities
- ❓ Refugee claimants (varies by municipality—Toronto as a sanctuary city has more flexibility)
Quebec's NEW Registration System (December 2025): What Changed for Immigrant Families
In a major overhaul, Quebec shut down La Place 0-5 on October 16, 2025, and replaced it with the Childcare Services Registration Portal, which became fully operational on December 1, 2025.
The Biggest Changes:
1. No More Registering Unborn Children The new portal will no longer allow unborn children to be registered. You can only register children who are already born or have arrived through adoption. This is a massive shift from the old system where parents would register the moment they got a positive pregnancy test.
2. Priority Based on Desired Start Date, Not Registration Date Instead of ranking children by the date of registration on the portal, priority will now be based on the child's desired start date. Family Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain said Quebec is "putting an end to the first-come, first-served approach."
3. Transparent Ranking System Parents can now see a monthly updated "rank indicator" showing their child's approximate position on each daycare's waitlist. The system uses five priority categories:
- Category 1: Child of daycare staff member residing with a currently enrolled child
- Category 2: Child of daycare staff member
- Category 3: Sibling of currently enrolled child (same address)
- Category 4: Child not already admitted to any CPE or subsidized daycare
- Category 5: All other children
Within each category, children are ranked by time elapsed since their preferred admission date.
4. Automatic Notifications When a daycare indicates a spot is available, parents of the next child on the list are automatically notified by email.
What This Means for Immigrant Families:
The new system is more transparent but doesn't necessarily speed up waitlists. If you're a newcomer to Quebec, you can't get on the waitlist until your baby is actually born, which means you've already lost precious waiting time compared to the old system. However, the transparency of seeing your rank is helpful for planning.
Quebec Daycare Waitlist
Quebec completely overhauled its daycare registration system in late 2025. La Place 0-5 shut down on October 16, 2025, and was replaced by the new Childcare Services Registration Portal, which became fully operational on December 1, 2025.
Major Changes in the New System:
The biggest change? You can NO LONGER register unborn children. Only children who are already born (or have arrived through adoption) can be registered on the portal.
Priority is now based on your child's desired start date, not the registration date. This is a huge shift from the old "first-come, first-served" approach where parents would register the day they got a positive pregnancy test.
What This Means for Waitlists:
The waitlists are still brutally long—I know moms who've been waiting 2+ years for a CPE spot. But now the system is more transparent. Parents can see a monthly updated "rank indicator" showing their child's approximate position on each waitlist.
Because the fee is so low and universal, demand vastly exceeds supply. Many families still end up paying $35-60/day for private care while waiting, which isn't financially sustainable for most.
Ontario Daycare Waitlist
Ontario uses municipal systems, which means availability varies significantly by city. During COVID, 45% of Ontario parents had to change their childcare arrangements compared to Quebec's 26%, showing how unstable the system can be.
The challenge? Ontario plans to create 86,000 new licensed childcare spaces by 2026 (relative to 2019), but educator shortages remain a major bottleneck. Many centers can't operate at full capacity due to staffing issues.
Quebec vs Ontario: Which Province is Cheaper for Daycare?
Let me break this down by situation:
Choose Quebec If:
✅ You have permanent residence or citizenship✅ You value cost predictability (same rate for everyone)
✅ You're willing to wait on lists while paying private rates
✅ You have a closed work permit (employer-specific)
✅ You earn middle-to-high income (Quebec's flat rate benefits higher earners)
Example: A PR family earning $100,000/year pays $193/month in Quebec vs $380-440/month in Ontario (CWELCC rate without additional subsidies).
Choose Ontario If:
✅ You have a work permit (including open permits)✅ You're low-income and can access full subsidies ($0-$5/day)
✅ You need more flexibility in immigration status requirements
✅ You're a refugee claimant (some municipalities more accommodating)
✅ You want to avoid 2+ year waitlists
Example: A low-income family earning $35,000/year could pay $0-50/month in Ontario with subsidies vs $193/month in Quebec.
How to Apply : Quebec vs Ontario Daycare
Applying in Quebec (NEW SYSTEM as of December 2025)
- Create a Government Authentication Service (SAG) account at quebec.ca
- Access the Childcare Services Registration Portal (replaced La Place 0-5)
- Register ONLY children who are already born (unborn children can no longer be registered)
- Provide proof of Quebec residency and immigration documents (PR card, work permit, etc.)
- Select your preferred daycares and enter your desired start date
- Check your child's monthly updated "rank indicator" to see their position on waitlists
- Wait for automatic email notifications when a daycare has an available spot matching your child's profile
Important: The new portal ranks children by desired start date and priority categories (staff children, siblings of enrolled children, children not yet in any daycare, etc.), not by registration date anymore.
Applying in Ontario
- Find daycares using Ontario's Child Care Finder
- Contact daycares directly to check availability
- Apply for CWELCC rate (automatic if daycare participates—92% do)
- Separately apply for fee subsidy through your municipality if low-income
- Provide income documents and immigration status proof for subsidy
Tax Credits and Additional Support
Quebec Tax Benefits
Quebec offers a refundable tax credit covering 67-78% of private daycare expenses depending on family income, with a maximum eligible expense of $12,275 in 2025. You can even receive advance payments throughout the year.
Ontario Tax Benefits
Both federal and Ontario childcare tax deductions apply. Families can claim expenses on their tax returns, though these don't match Quebec's generous private-care credits.
Quebec vs Ontario Daycare for Immigrant Families
For Permanent Residents: Quebec wins on cost ($193/month vs $380-440/month), but expect long waits.
For Temporary Residents: Ontario wins on access—especially if you have an open work permit or precarious status.
For Low-Income Families: Ontario's income-tested subsidies can bring costs to $0, making it the better choice.
For Middle/High-Income Families: Quebec's flat rate is significantly cheaper than Ontario's CWELCC rate.
For Predictability: Quebec offers stable, low fees if you get in. Ontario's system is more flexible but less predictable.
FAQs: Quebec vs Ontario Daycare 2026
Q: Can I use my Quebec daycare subsidy if I work in Ontario? A: No, you must be a Quebec resident with a Quebec address.
Q: Do international students qualify for subsidized daycare? A: In Quebec, generally no (unless on a Quebec scholarship). In Ontario, they may qualify for CWELCC reduced rates but likely not income-tested subsidies.
Q: Can refugee claimants access daycare subsidies? A: In Quebec, not until their claim is accepted. In Ontario, it varies by municipality—Toronto (sanctuary city) is more flexible.
Q: Can I register my unborn baby on Quebec's daycare waitlist? A: No! This changed in December 2025. The new Childcare Services Registration Portal only allows registration of children who are already born or have arrived through adoption. This is a major change from the old La Place 0-5 system.
Q: How long are waitlists typically? A: Quebec: 1-2+ years for subsidized spots (and you can only register after birth now). Ontario: varies by city and daycare, but generally shorter than Quebec.
Q: Is the $10-a-day federal program in effect yet? A: Quebec already meets/exceeds it at $9.65/day. Ontario is at $19-22/day with no confirmed timeline to reach $10.
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