Child care fee subsidy is provincially funded but run by each regional (or City) service manager, so you apply where you live. Durham notes a subsidy can’t be transferred to another region if you move.
| Region | Official page | Phone | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Toronto | City of Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy | 416-338-8888 or 311 | Toronto has a fee subsidy waitlist, so the City advises applying as early as possible; you can apply as soon as you are expecting a child. After applying you get an email with your waitlist date and client file number. If you receive Ontario Works, apply through your caseworker. |
| Peel Region | Peel Region Child Care Subsidy | 905-793-9200 (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Children’s Services account help: 905-791-1585) | Apply online through a Peel Children’s Services account, or by phone if you can’t apply online. Peel says people only looking for work are not eligible unless they are also in school or have a social, medical or extra-support need. |
| York Region | York Region Child Care Fee Subsidy | Access York 1-877-464-9675 (TTY 711), or the KIDS Line 1-888-703-5437 (Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) | York’s subsidy is first-come, first-served: once your application and documents are in, you are placed on the fee subsidy waitlist and contacted for an eligibility meeting when your name reaches the top. Ontario Works recipients should contact their caseworker. |
| Halton Region | Halton Region child care fee subsidy | 311 (or 905-825-6000) | Apply by creating a My Child Care Account and uploading your most recent Notice of Assessment (or Canada Child Benefit notice). You must live in Halton and be working, training, in school, or have a medical or exceptional circumstance. Halton also has an online subsidy calculator. Halton notes that enrolment of additional providers in CWELCC is currently closed. |
| Durham Region | Durham Region Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) | 905-666-6239 or 1-800-372-1102 | Durham says there is no waitlist for fee subsidy, but you should apply only once you have secured a space at a licensed provider (or approved recreation program) with a start date within three months. |
Common requirements
- Usually: living in the region, a child under 13 in licensed care (or an approved program), and an approved activity such as work or school (or a social/medical need).
- Your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment or Canada Child Benefit notice (CRA: 1-800-959-8281). Newcomers may use other documents; check your region.
- If you receive Ontario Works, talk to your caseworker first.
When to apply
- Toronto & York: subsidy has a waitlist, so apply early (Toronto: as soon as you’re expecting).
- Durham: no subsidy waitlist; apply after you’ve secured a space starting within three months.
- Peel & Halton: apply online through the regional account and upload your tax documents.
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Last checked: October 13, 2026. Rules and phone numbers change; confirm with the official source links.