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Source verified May 11, 2026
Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)
Affordable licensed child care support in Ontario
Latest source updateLast Update: June 28, 2026Latest change: CWELCC enrolment guidance now shows fewer application details, while Ontario’s child care regulation adds new compliance requirements and updates its current version date.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 28, 2026
Latest change: CWELCC enrolment guidance now shows fewer application details, while Ontario’s child care regulation adds new compliance requirements and updates its current version date.
CWELCC guidance and rules updated
Wellington’s CWELCC page now shows less enrolment guidance than before: the ages 0-4 language, not-for-profit prioritization text, March 5, 2026 deadline, and most submission instructions were removed from the main content, while the resource links remain and the 2025 cost-based guidelines are now shown as 2026 guidelines. Ontario’s O. Reg. 137/15: General also now shows updated CWELCC-related operating requirements for child care centres and home child care, with new safety, supervision, site-planning, and unauthorized-entry related sections described as taking effect across 2026-2027 compliance updates.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
March 5, 2026
Location
Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Overview
CWELCC supports licensed child care in Ontario through local service system managers and county guidelines. It is used to lower family fees and support cost-based funding, new spaces, and related operating plans.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Cornwall
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Fee reduction for licensed child care spaces
- Creation and expansion of licensed child care spaces
- Workforce compensation and professional development
- Inclusion supports for children with special needs and diverse populations
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Proof of not-for-profit status, if applicable
- License issued under the CCEYA
- Certificate of insurance
- Annual operating budget and audited financial statements
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Licensed child care centres
- Licensed home child care agencies
- Every licensee who wants to be part of the CWELCC system
Who is not eligible
- Camps and recreation programs serving children 6 to 12 years of age
Eligible expenses
- Operating costs for licensed child care services
- Staff wages and benefits
- Training and professional development
- Administration and IT costs
- Start-up costs for new spaces, such as equipment and renovations
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Camps and recreation programs serving children 6 to 12 years of age are not eligible to participate in CWELCC.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- Waterloo Region
Selection criteria
- For new licensed child care spaces, Oxford County uses established data and criteria to assess alignment with local service system priorities for increasing access to the CWELCC program.
- Children’s Services identified thirteen Priority Areas for new CWELCC community-based spaces because they have low access to licensed child care spaces and a high proportion of low-income families.
- The Priority Areas are ranked by how many additional CWELCC spaces are needed for children ages 0 to 4 years old.
How to apply
- Every licensee who wants to be part of the CWELCC system must apply for enrolment following the process set out by their local service system manager.
- When submitting their application in CCLS, licence applicants will be required to state whether or not they intend to enrol in CWELCC.
- If the applicant intends to enrol, CCLS will send their application to the local service system manager who can provide the required “advice” directly in CCLS.
Processing and Agreement
- After a service system manager receives a CWELCC application, they review the application details and determine whether the program is eligible for enrolment in CWELCC.
- There are three reasons for which a service system manager can deny enrolment in CWELCC: the program is not financially viable or will not be financially viable; there is reason to believe that CWELCC funds would not be used properly; the child care program is not consistent with the service system manager’s targeted growth plan.
- If the service system manager decides to enroll a licensee’s program in CWELCC, they will work with the licensee to execute a service agreement.
- The licensee must comply with any terms and conditions in this agreement and keep a copy of the service agreement at the child care centre.
Additional information
- Participation is optional for licensed child care providers.
- Operators must sign a service agreement before receiving funding.
- Applications may be denied if local growth priorities are not met.
- Funding recovery or audit review may apply if terms are not followed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Program
What is the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)?
CWELCC supports licensed child care in Ontario through local service system managers and county guidelines. It is used to lower family fees and support cost-based funding, new spaces, and related operating plans.
Who is eligible for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program?
To be eligible for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, you must:
Every licensee who wants to be part of the CWELCC system must apply for enrolment following the process set out by their local service system manager.
If the applicant intends to enrol, the application must include advice from the local service system manager that indicates whether the proposed program would be eligible to receive CWELCC funding.
What expenses are eligible under Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)?
Fee reduction for licensed child care spaces
Creation and expansion of licensed child care spaces
Workforce compensation and professional development
Inclusion supports for children with special needs and diverse populations
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)?
You can contact County of Wellington by email at cs-reporting@cornwall.ca or by phone at 613-933-6282.
Where is the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) available?
The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)?
Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) is funded by County of Wellington