Step 1: Identify Your Needs

There are a variety of learning options and the first crucial step, to select the one that will meet the best interests of you and your child, is to identify your family's particular needs. Matching those needs with the choices available will help you determine the type of quality care that suits your situation. Consider the following questions to assess your requirements:

• What is your child's age and what type of care and activities will best promote their development?
• Do you need a location that is close to your home, work or your child's school? Does the location need to be close to a bus route?
• What hours do you need care for? How long? What days? Flexibility to accommodate overtime or shift work? Before or after school? School vacations? Lunch programs? Evening hours?
• If you have more than one child, do you want both children in the same program?
• Does your child have any special requirements (e.g., dietary, developmental or other)?
• Are you looking for a particular philosophy/curriculum?
• Will you be able to pay the full cost or will you need fee subsidy?
• Do you need information to see if you qualify for subsidy?

Paying for Child Care

The cost of an early childhood program varies from setting to setting and is dependent on the age of the child, the hours of care, and the type of program offered.

You can claim child care expenses on your income tax. Keep receipts for your records.

You may be eligible for child care fee subsidy.

What is Child Care Subsidy?

Child Care Subsidy is a program offered by the Region of Peel (Municipality) that assists you with the cost of licensed child care, if you are the parent, foster parent or legal guardian of a child 0-12 years of age that lives with you.

Financial eligibility for child care subsidy is determined by a review of a family's income. To verify income, applicants are required to provide a copy of their Notice of Assessment or Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice for the most recent available tax year. Income tax returns are therefore required to be filed annually in order to be considered for fee subsidy eligibility. In addition to financial eligibility, families must meet the reason for service requirements.  Parents must be working, attending school or a training program, or need a placement for a child with special needs.

How do I apply for Child Care Subsidy?

To obtain an application, or for further information on child care fee subsidy within Peel, please contact the Region of Peel Children's Services, Administration office at (905) 791-1585, toll free at 1-800-309-6640 or visit www.childcarepeel.ca.

When your completed application for child care subsidy is received, it will be assessed for eligibility and placed on the first come, first served, Wait List. A letter confirming your placement on the Wait List or reasons for ineligibility will be mailed to you. 

Some child care programs also offer subsidy. Contact them directly for this information.

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