Finding affordable child care in Toronto has long been one of the biggest challenges for new parents. Waitlists can stretch for years, and monthly fees for infants once rivaled the cost of rent. But since 2022, Ontario’s Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program has been steadily lowering daycare fees — and was originally set to bring costs down to just $10 a day by September 2025 (City of Toronto Fact Sheet). As of fall 2025, though, the province has not yet hit that mark. This article explains where things stand, what CWELCC means for Toronto families, and how to navigate the waitlists and subsidies that work alongside the program.
Key Takeaways for Parents
- No separate application: If your child is in a licensed daycare enrolled in CWELCC, the reduced fees apply automatically.
- Fees are lower but not yet $10/day: Families in Toronto are currently paying around $19–$22/day, down more than 50% from pre-2022 levels, but still above the promised $10/day.
- Target delayed: The province now says the $10/day average will be reached by March 2026, six months later than promised.
- Finding a spot is still the challenge: Waitlists remain long, and Toronto parents are often advised to apply during pregnancy.
- Subsidy stack available: Families may also qualify for the City of Toronto’s child care subsidy, which can reduce fees even further.
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What CWELCC Means for Toronto Families
CWELCC is a federal–provincial agreement designed to make licensed child care more affordable across Ontario. The rollout has been gradual: fees were first cut by 25% in 2022, then halved by the end of that year. By late 2024, the average daily fee in Toronto had dropped to around $12 per day, a 52.75% reduction from 2022 levels (City of Toronto).
The province had promised that by September 2025, fees would average $10 per day. But as of September 2025, Ontario has not yet met this target. Instead, the government capped fees at $22/day in January 2025, bringing the provincial average down to about $19/day (Ontario.ca). Toronto families are still paying closer to this capped amount, especially for infant care, which is more than double the $10/day goal.
The new target date for the full $10/day average is now March 2026 (Policy Alternatives). In the meantime, CWELCC participation is strong: about 92% of licensed spaces for children aged 0–5 are enrolled, and over 39,000 new affordable spaces have been created toward the province’s 86,000-space goal (Ontario.ca).
Who’s Eligible?
Eligibility is refreshingly straightforward. If your child is under six years old and attends a licensed daycare enrolled in CWELCC, you automatically qualify for the reduced fees. There are no income requirements, and families don’t need to file a separate application.
The only catch is that not every daycare has joined the program. Some opted out for financial or administrative reasons, so it’s important to check before you join a waitlist.
How to Apply for a Daycare Spot in Toronto
Here’s where things get a little more complicated. CWELCC lowers the cost of care, but it doesn’t solve the issue of supply. As of late 2023, Toronto had about 67,755 licensed spaces for children aged 0–5, and demand far outpaces supply (Workforce Innovation Institute). Waitlists in some neighbourhoods still stretch years, with parents often advised to apply before their baby is even born.
To begin, search the Ontario Child Care Finder, which lists licensed centres across the city. Each listing will indicate whether the centre is participating in CWELCC. From there, you’ll need to add your name to daycare waitlists. Some centres use the City of Toronto’s central waitlist portal, while others manage applications directly.
When you contact a daycare, always confirm two things: whether they are enrolled in CWELCC, and how their waitlist works. Some recommend applying to 10 or more centres at once to increase your chances.
What About Subsidies?
For families who need additional help beyond CWELCC’s universal reductions, Toronto continues to offer the child care fee subsidy. This program is income-tested and coordinated through the city. If approved, the subsidy covers part of your daycare costs, with payments going directly to the provider.
The key advantage is that subsidies stack with CWELCC. That means a family could see their fees reduced to $19/day under the current cap, and then brought down even further if they qualify for a municipal subsidy (Ontario Child Care Subsidy).
The Bigger Picture: Child Care Expansion in Toronto
The success of CWELCC depends not just on lowering fees, but also on expanding access. Between January 2022 and December 2023, licensed child care spaces in Toronto grew by about 5.5%, despite staffing shortages and financial pressures on operators (Workforce Innovation Institute).
The province has pledged to create 86,000 new licensed spaces across Ontario by 2026, with Toronto as a priority area. The city’s 2025 budget highlights include targeted investments in underserved neighbourhoods and Indigenous-led child care. These expansions are designed to ease waitlists, but it will take time before families feel the impact.
Tips for Parents Navigating CWELCC
- Apply early and widely. Don’t rely on one or two centres — waitlists are unpredictable, so cast a wide net.
- Ask questions up front. Confirm CWELCC enrollment, typical wait times, and whether the centre offers sibling priority.
- Combine supports. If you’re eligible, apply for the child care subsidy alongside CWELCC to lower your costs further.
- Plan for transitions. Remember CWELCC only applies until your child turns six. Ask how fees change when they move into kindergarten or school-age programs.
Final Thoughts
Child care in Toronto is still stressful to navigate, but CWELCC has shifted the landscape in a major way. Fees that once rivaled a mortgage payment are now capped at $22/day, with the promise of further reductions to $10/day by March 2026. With more spaces opening and subsidies aligning with CWELCC, families finally have a clearer path to affordable care — even if the journey has taken longer than promised.
But finding the right spot, understanding your options, and making sure you don’t miss out on supports is still overwhelming — especially if you’re new to the system.
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