Daycare Costs by Province
The map below shows average monthly daycare costs for toddlers (18 months – 3 years) across Canadian provinces.
Average Monthly Daycare Cost (Toddlers)
Provincial Daycare Costs
| Province | Infant Monthly | Toddler Monthly | Preschool Monthly |
|---|
| Ontario | $1,500–$2,000 | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,000–$1,400 |
| British Columbia | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,000–$1,400 | $900–$1,200 |
| Alberta | $1,100–$1,400 | $900–$1,100 | $800–$1,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $1,000–$1,200 | $850–$1,000 | $750–$900 |
| Saskatchewan | $900–$1,100 | $750–$900 | $650–$800 |
| Prince Edward Island | $900–$1,100 | $750–$900 | $650–$800 |
| New Brunswick | $800–$1,000 | $700–$850 | $600–$750 |
| Newfoundland | $400–$600 | $350–$500 | $300–$450 |
| Manitoba | $350–$500 | $300–$400 | $250–$350 |
| Quebec | $220 | $220 | $220 |
Rates shown are before provincial subsidies for non-Quebec provinces still implementing $10/day.
$10-a-Day Childcare Progress by Province
| Province | Target Date | Current Status (2026) |
|---|
| Quebec | Already there | $10.95/day since 1997 |
| Manitoba | 2023 | Achieved $10/day |
| Newfoundland | 2024 | Achieved ~$10/day |
| Yukon | 2024 | Near $10/day |
| Nova Scotia | 2026 | Significant reductions |
| New Brunswick | 2026 | In progress |
| PEI | 2026 | In progress |
| Saskatchewan | 2026 | In progress |
| Alberta | 2026 | In progress |
| British Columbia | 2026 | Significant reductions |
| Ontario | 2026 | Significant reductions |
How Fee Reductions Work
| Province | Reduction Method |
|---|
| Most provinces | Funding to daycares, who reduce fees |
| Ontario | Opted-in daycares reduce fees by 50%+ |
| Quebec | Flat $10.95/day for subsidized spaces |
Daycare Costs by City
Most Expensive Cities
| City | Median Monthly Cost (Toddler) |
|---|
| Toronto | $1,400–$1,800 |
| Vancouver | $1,300–$1,600 |
| Calgary | $1,000–$1,300 |
| Ottawa | $1,100–$1,400 |
| Victoria | $1,100–$1,400 |
| Kelowna | $1,000–$1,200 |
After Subsidy (Participating Daycares)
| City | Approximate Monthly (with $10/day subsidy) |
|---|
| Toronto | $700–$1,000 (50%+ reduction) |
| Vancouver | $600–$900 (up to 50% reduction) |
| Calgary | $500–$700 |
| Montreal | $220 (available subsidized space) |
Cost by Child Age
| Age Group | Staff Ratio | Typical Premium |
|---|
| Infant (0–18 months) | 1:3 or 1:4 | Highest cost |
| Toddler (18 months–3 years) | 1:5 or 1:6 | Medium cost |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:8 to 1:10 | Lower cost |
| School-age (before/after) | 1:10 to 1:15 | Lowest cost |
Infant care requires more staff, which increases costs by 20–40%.
Types of Child Care
Licensed Options
| Type | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Daycare centre | $800–$2,000/month | Regulated, reliable | Wait lists, less flexibility |
| Licensed home daycare | $600–$1,200/month | Smaller groups | Limited spots |
| Workplace daycare | Varies | Convenient | Not always available |
Unlicensed Options
| Type | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Nanny | $2,500–$4,000/month | One-on-one, flexible | Expensive, HR responsibilities |
| Nanny share | $1,500–$2,500/month | Lower cost than solo | Need compatible family |
| Family/unlicensed provider | $500–$1,000/month | Flexible, affordable | Unregulated, no subsidies |
Hidden Daycare Costs
| Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|
| Registration fee | $50–$200 |
| Supply fee | $100–$500/year |
| Late pickup fee | $1–$5/minute |
| Vacation holds | Half or full fee |
| Summer closure | Find backup care |
| Sick day backup | Lost wages or backup care |
Tax Benefits for Childcare
Child Care Expense Deduction
| Child Age | Maximum Deduction |
|---|
| Under 7 | $8,000/year |
| 7–16 | $5,000/year |
| Disabled child | $11,000/year |
This deduction reduces taxable income, not taxes directly. At a 30% marginal rate, $8,000 deduction saves $2,400.
How to Claim
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Who claims | Lower-income spouse (usually) |
| Receipts needed | Yes, from provider |
| Eligible expenses | Licensed or registered care |
| Nanny expenses | Eligible if have SIN |
How to Find Affordable Daycare
Strategies
| Strategy | Potential Savings |
|---|
| Get on wait lists early | Access to subsidized spots |
| Check workplace benefits | Some offer subsidies |
| Apply for provincial subsidies | Income-tested support |
| Consider licensed home daycare | Often 20–30% cheaper |
| Look at not-for-profit centres | Often more affordable |
Provincial Subsidy Programs
| Province | Program | Income Threshold |
|---|
| Ontario | OCCMS | Based on income |
| BC | Affordable Child Care Benefit | Up to $200K family income |
| Alberta | Child Care Subsidy | Income-tested |
| Most provinces | Sliding scale subsidies | Varies |
Daycare Wait Lists
| City/Region | Typical Wait Time |
|---|
| Toronto | 1–2+ years for infant |
| Vancouver | 1–2 years |
| Calgary | 6–12 months |
| Montreal (subsidized) | 1–2+ years |
| Smaller cities | 3–12 months |
Tips for wait lists:
- Register immediately upon pregnancy confirmation
- Apply to multiple centres
- Check unlicensed options as backup
- Ask about priority lists for siblings
Comparing Full-Time vs Part-Time
| Option | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|
| Full-time (5 days) | $1,000–$1,800 | Most common |
| Part-time (3 days) | $600–$1,100 | Not pro-rated |
| Part-time (2 days) | $400–$900 | Limited availability |
| Drop-in | $50–$100/day | For occasional use |
Part-time daycare is rarely 40% of full-time cost — spots are less efficient for centres.
Daycare vs Nanny: Cost Comparison
For one child:
| Option | Monthly Cost |
|---|
| Daycare (Toronto) | $1,400–$1,800 |
| Nanny (live-out) | $3,000–$4,000 |
| Nanny share | $1,500–$2,500 |
For two children:
| Option | Monthly Cost |
|---|
| Two daycare spots | $2,600–$3,400 |
| Nanny | $3,200–$4,500 |
| Nanny share | $2,000–$3,000 |
Nanny costs may be similar or cheaper with 2+ children.
Key Takeaways
- Daycare costs range from $220/month (Quebec) to $2,000/month (Toronto infant)
- $10/day childcare is rolling out — check with local daycares
- Get on wait lists as early as possible (even before birth)
- Tax deduction of up to $8,000/child under age 7
- Consider licensed home daycare as a more affordable option
- Provincial subsidies available for lower-income families
→ Back to: Personal Finance Guide