How Much Does Daycare Cost in Ontario? (2026 Guide)

How Much Does Daycare Cost in Ontario?

The short answer

In Ontario, licensed daycare for children under six costs much less than it used to because of CWELCC, often landing in the low twenties per day after the reduction. Infant care costs the most, school-age care sits outside CWELCC, and the headline rate usually covers care but not always food, diapers, or registration.

Cost by age group

Daycare is priced by room, and the youngest rooms cost the most because they need the most staff. Ontario's ratios require one educator for every three infants, which is why infant care has the highest daily rate. Toddler and preschool rates step down as the ratios widen.

Before CWELCC, full-day infant care in Kitchener-Waterloo commonly ran in the seventies per day, with toddler and preschool somewhat lower. After CWELCC, out-of-pocket rates for under-six rooms drop substantially. Our own current figures are on the Tuition and CWELCC page.

Before and after CWELCC

CWELCC reduces fees for children under six at participating licensed centres. The reduction is a percentage off a frozen base rate, stepping toward an average of about $10 a day. That is the single biggest factor in what an Ontario family actually pays today.

School-age care, for children six and older, is not covered by CWELCC. So a family often sees the lowest per-day cost during the preschool years and a step back up when a child reaches school age, even though school-age care is part-day.

What is included, and what is extra

The daily rate usually covers the care itself: the room, the educators, the programming, and rest time. What counts as extra varies by centre, so it is worth asking directly.

Meals and snacks: some centres include them, some ask you to pack
Diapers and wipes: often parent-supplied for infants and toddlers
Registration or waitlist fees: many centres charge none; some do
Field trips or special programming: occasionally billed separately

How to compare real costs

Compare the post-CWELCC daily rate for the room your child will actually be in, then add any extras. A centre with a slightly higher headline rate that includes meals can cost less than a cheaper one where you pack lunch and supply diapers.

Ask each centre for the monthly cost in writing. Daily rates are easy to compare incorrectly because months have different numbers of weekdays. A monthly figure removes the guesswork.

Questions parents ask

How much is daycare per month in Ontario after CWELCC?

It depends on the room and the centre, but post-CWELCC under-six rooms often land in the four-to-six hundred per month range for full-time care. Use our calculator for a specific monthly figure by room.

Why is infant care more expensive than preschool?

Because infants need more staff. Ontario requires one educator for every three infants, compared with one for every eight preschoolers, so the cost per child is higher in the infant room.

Is school-age care cheaper than preschool?

The per-day rate for school-age care is set outside CWELCC, so it can be higher than the CWELCC-reduced preschool rate even though school-age care is part-day. Compare the actual monthly cost.

Are meals and diapers included in the daily rate?

It varies by centre. Many include meals and snacks, while diapers are often parent-supplied. Always ask what the headline rate does and does not cover.

Does Ontario have a fee subsidy on top of CWELCC?

Yes. Fee subsidy is a separate, income-tested program administered by your municipality or region. It can lower costs further for families who qualify, on top of the CWELCC reduction.

What does daycare cost at Doon Forest?

Our current daily, weekly, and monthly figures by room are on the Tuition and CWELCC page, where you can also run the calculator for your own situation.