Educational childcare rates

When your child is admitted to an educational childcare centre, you must pay for the services provided. Find out what fees apply to subsidized and non-subsidized childcare centres.

Reduced contribution rate

If your child is admitted to a subsidized childcare centre, you pay a reduced rate, also known as a reduced contribution.

For 2026, the daily rate for subsidized daycare is set at $9.65. This amount is indexed annually on January 1^st.

Eligibility for reduced contribution

To be eligible for the reduced contribution, the parent must reside in Quebec and have one of the following statuses:

• Canadian citizen: holding Canadian citizenship by birth or naturalization;
• Permanent resident: in possession of a Record of Landing, a valid Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence;
• Temporary worker: staying in Quebec mainly to work, and holding a valid work permit indicating the place of work and the name of the employer, or being exempt from this obligation (this excludes asylum seekers);
• Foreign student: hold a certificate of acceptance or a letter attesting to the issuance of the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec pour études, and be the recipient of a Québec government scholarship;  
• Refugee or recognized protected person: hold a selection certificate issued under the Quebec Immigration Act;
• Temporary residence permit holder with a view to eventual permanent residency and a selection certificate issued under the Quebec Immigration Act;
• person authorized to submit an application for permanent residence in Canada: hold a selection certificate issued under the Quebec Immigration Act.

Exemption from payment of reduced contribution

Beneficiaries of the following programs can obtain free childcare for their children under five years of age (as of September 30) for up to five days a week and 261 days a year:

• Social Assistance and Social Solidarity
• Aim for Employment Program
• Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters

How to apply for exemption from payment of reduced contribution

Complete the Application for the reduced contribution or for a payment exemption form (PDF 146 Kb) and attach proof that you benefit from one of the programs listed above.

Non-subsidized childcare centres set their own rates. These rates are generally higher than the reduced contribution.

Parents using these services can benefit from fiscal measures to reduce the cost differential between the two types of service. The amount of this assistance varies according to family income and the specific situation of each family.

Childcare cost calculator

The Ministère des Finances provides you with a calculation tool to accurately estimate the net cost of childcare for your situation. This tool takes into account all applicable provincial and federal tax incentives.

Provincial tax credit for childcare expenses

The tax credit for childcare expenses is one of the provincial tax measures aimed at families using non-subsidized childcare. The amount granted varies according to total family income, including your income and that of your spouse, if applicable.

Federal Child Care Expenses Deduction

The Childcare Expense Deduction is federal assistance that allows you to deduct child care expenses from your net taxable income. It offsets a portion of your childcare costs, whether your child attends subsidized or private childcare.

Educational assistance for pregnant women and families

Financial assistance may be available for the birth or adoption of a child. See our Educational assistance for pregnant women and families section for more details.