Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care System

Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC):

  • The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system will support quality, accessibility, affordability and inclusivity in early learning licensed child care serving eligible children. It is a five-year plan that is based on equity and inclusion. All families, including those with a fee subsidy, will have access to CWELCC programs by 2025.
  • The City of Toronto is responsible for approving applications and then providing the funding for child care operators who have opted into the CWELCC plan. Operators will refund families directly. 
  • The public is encouraged to contact their child care operator for questions about the status of CWELCC at their location. 
     

CWELCC & Child Care Fee Subsidy:

As of January 1, 2025, child care fees are capped at $22 per day. Please reach out to the Child Care Centre or Home Child Care Agency directly for detailed information about program fees.

Families can find agencies that are participating in CWELCC and that accept fee subsidy by using the Find a Child Care Near You, A-Z Child Care listing, and/or Licensed Home Child Care Page. Child care fee subsidy continues to be available for eligible families to assist with the cost of child care. For more information and how to apply for a fee subsidy, visit Child Care Fee Subsidy or call 416-338-8888.


CWELCC Eligibility:

Home Child Care Agencies that meet the following expansion criteria are eligible to apply:

  • Not-for-Profit Home Child Care Agencies
  • Francophone Agencies
  • Indigenous-led Agencies
  • Black-Led, Black-Mandated, and Black-Serving Organizations
  • Commercial Home Child Care Agencies may be considered
Applications from Commercial Home Child Care Agencies may be considered as outlined in the Ministry of Education CWELCC Guidelines (Updated March 2025), Chapter 2.1, page 11, “for the purposes of the CWELCC Agreement, all home child care agency licensees are deemed to be not-for-profit licensed child care, regardless of auspice”.
 
Review the 2025 CWELCC Expansion Guide for Home Child Care for more details. For questions about the CWELCC expansion process, please email TCSgrowth@toronto.ca
 
Home Child Care Agencies already enrolled in CWELCC may contact their Toronto Children’s Services, District Consultant.