Overview
Eligible families can apply for child care subsidies if they have children age 0 to Grade 6 enrolled in a:
- licensed facility-based program (daycare, out-of-school care and preschool)
- family day home program overseen by a licensed family day home agency
- group family child care centre
Subsidy rates vary based on the child’s age, family income, the child care program and the number of hours a child attends each month. Types of subsidy include:
- subsidy for children 0 to kindergarten-age (in kindergarten and also attending child care during regular school hours)
- subsidy for children in kindergarten to grade 6 enrolled in a licensed program outside of regular school hours
- preschool subsidy for children enrolled in a licensed preschool program
- extended hours subsidy for children who require care outside regular hours
Important changes
Affordability supports
Effective January 2022, child care in Alberta will be more affordable under the new federal-provincial child care agreement. Fees will be lowered in 2 ways – expanded subsidy and affordability grants.
Subsidy for children from 0 to kindergarten-age (in kindergarten and also attending child care during regular school hours) has been expanded to include families with a gross household income of up to $180,000.
Subsidy for children in kindergarten to Grade 6 enrolled in a licensed program outside of regular school hours remains available to families with a household income of up to $90,000.
Affordability grants will also be provided directly to child care operators so they can further lower fees for all families. Parents do not need to apply to benefit from the grant fee reduction.
Summer school-age child care subsidy rate increase
To assist parents with the cost of full-day child care for school-age children in the summer months, subsidy rates will increase in July and August 2022.
What this means for parents and caregivers
If you are currently receiving subsidy and will be increasing your out-of-school child care hours throughout the summer months, you will be eligible for a subsidy increase.
The summer school-age subsidy rate change will occur automatically and will return to the regular rate in September. The subsidy rate table below shows the summer rates you can expect based on the type of program your child attends and your income.
Table 1. Summer school-age subsidy rates based on income, grades 1 to 6
Income | Current subsidy rates, grades 1 to 6 |
Summer subsidy rates, grades 1 to 6 | |
---|---|---|---|
Facility-based centres | Day home and group family | ||
$0 to $49,999 | $366 | $644 | $516 |
$50,000 to $54,999 | $348 | $612 | $490 |
$55,000 to $59,999 | $311 | $547 | $439 |
$60,000 to $64,999 | $275 | $483 | $387 |
$65,000 to $69,999 | $238 | $419 | $335 |
$70,000 to $74,999 | $201 | $354 | $284 |
$75,000 to $79,999 | $165 | $290 | $232 |
$80,000 to 84,999 | $128 | $225 | $181 |
$85,000 to 89,999 | $92 | $161 | $129 |
Rates reflect attendance of 50+ hours. | Rates reflect attendance of 100+ hours. |
For example, in June 2022, a child in Grade 2 attending an out-of-school care program received a maximum school-age subsidy rate of $366. The subsidy rate for this child will increase to $644 for July and August 2022 to support increased attendance.
The subsidy rate will return to $366 in September. If you have already paid your child care fee for July or August, speak with your child care program to receive a credit or refund.
Subsidy types and rates
A child's subsidy rate is determined by total family income, type of child care program, and the number of hours the child attends in a month. Use Line 15000 from the most recent CRA Notice of Assessment to determine gross household income.
How to apply
Review your eligibility and apply online for the fastest processing times using a computer, tablet, or mobile phone through the Child Care Subsidy Application.
During your application, you will need to submit the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Consent Applicant Declaration and Acknowledgement form. If you have completed this form in the past, it is not necessary to fill it out again.
Each subsidy starts at the beginning of the month your completed application is received. You can apply as early as the month before your child is starting child care. For example, if your child's start date is September 1, you can apply as early as August 1.
After you apply
If you meet requirements, you will receive a conditional 2-month subsidy after submitting your application while we complete your assessment. If you do not meet the conditional acceptance requirements, you will receive subsidy once your application is officially approved.
You may be required to provide additional documentation to complete your application. We will let you know what documents are required towards the end of the assessment process.
Estimate your subsidy
Use the online subsidy estimator to calculate an approximate amount of subsidy your family could receive.
The estimator calculates potential subsidy for families who require full-time child care (100+ hours per month for 0 to Kindergarten-age and 50+ hours for school age). Preschool subsidy is a flat rate not based on 100 hours.
Note: the information you provide in the estimator is not shared or saved.
Find child care
Learn what to look for when finding and choosing child care.
Use the Child Care Lookup tool to find a licensed child care program.
Contact
Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre for general inquiries about child care subsidies:
Hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-9992 (in Edmonton)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992
Send your completed forms, supporting documents and any inquiries to the provincial subsidy office:
Fax: 780-422-5692
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Child Care Subsidy
PO Box 1641, Station M
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N9
If you have questions about finding or choosing child care and other options, call Child Care Connect toll free at 1-844-644-5165.
This service is available in more than 100 languages.
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