Rates and understanding payments

Last updated on March 26, 2025

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates

Affordable Child Care Benefit rates are based on the class of child care provided.

The maximum funding amounts, listed below, start on the first day of the month. They are based on the age of the child.

School age means the child will have reached age 5 on or before December 31 of that school year.

If your child is school age but is not enrolled in school you may be eligible for full day rates for the type of care. Include this information in your application or contact the Child Care Service Centre.

 

Affordable Child Care Benefit payments

Once your application is approved, both the parent or guardian and the child care provider will receive a benefit plan. The plan includes the benefit amount with the start and end dates.

In most cases, the child care provider receives the payment after they submit a monthly claim form. If child care is provided in the child's home, parents or guardians submit the claim form and pay the child care provider. Parents eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit for child care that is provided in the child’s home are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to minimize delays and lost or stolen cheques.

Parents or guardians pay the balance of the child care provider's fee after the benefit amount is deducted.

Absences and vacations

The Affordable Child Care Benefit is only paid for child care provided.
 
If the child is absent due to vacation, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month. This cannot exceed more than four weeks in one calendar year.
 
If the child is absent due to child or parent illness, the parent or guardian receives the benefit for up to two weeks in one month.
 
Accurate attendance records are necessary and subject to audit.

Withdrawals

If a child attends some days during a month, but withdraws before the end of the month and their space is not filled:

  • You may be eligible to receive:
    • The full authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended for half of the month or more
    • Half of the authorized monthly benefit amount if the child attended less than half of the month

*Note: This rule is different for the Young Parent Program.

Benefit adjustments for care surrounding a school day

Rates for care surrounding a school day apply for all days school is in session, in line with the School Calendar Regulation. This also includes the following statutory holidays:

  • Family Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Victoria Day
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Remembrance Day

Days in session are based on the school calendar year. It includes the days that principals, vice principals, directors of instruction and teachers are available for instruction, non-instruction or administrative activities. For these days, increases can be requested from half days of care to full days of care at the care surrounding school day rate. This also applies to other days during the school year, such as child illness, professional development and unplanned school closures.

For winter, spring and summer breaks, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

  • The care surrounding school day rate can be increased to the applicable children of school age rate

Use the forms below to request adjustments. Families and providers may submit forms after the 25th of the month being claimed.