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Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)
Child care support for Durham families
Record updated
- Funding available
- Varies by project
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Overview
Durham Region’s Child Care Fee Subsidy Program helps families who live in Durham Region pay for licensed child care and approved full-day recreation programs. It supports families who are working, going to school, have a special or social need, or receive Ontario Works, with support for eligible care arrangements and required verification documents.
At a glance
Funding available
Varies by project
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Ontario
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- All groups
- Legal structures
- All legal structures
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Families who live in Durham Region.
- Parents or guardians of a child under the age of 13 years.
- Applicants who are working, in school, or in an approved training program.
- Applicants with a child or parent special or social need.
- Applicants in an approved Ontario Works activity as determined by their Ontario Works caseworker.
Who is not eligible
- Clients on maternity leave.
Eligible expenses
- Licensed child care
- Approved full-day recreation programs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Unlicensed home child care.
- Job search for clients with school aged children during the school year.
- Extended child care coverage for children who normally walk to and from school during snow days.
Eligible geographic areas
- Durham Region
Activities funded
- Licensed child care
- Approved full-day recreation programs
How to apply
- Click here to apply.
- Upload all pages of your 2025 Notice of Assessment or Canada Child Benefit Notice once you've submitted an application, or upload your immigration documents showing your arrival date to Canada if you are a recently landed immigrant without an NOA or CCB.
Documents Needed
- Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment or Canada Child Benefit Notice
- Proof of address
- Current work or school verification for parents
- Special or social needs form
- Custody court order, if you have one
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants receive email communication from the Fee Subsidy team within one week of the application being received.
- Every year, the file is reviewed to keep the subsidy going.
Additional information
- There is no waitlist for Child Care Fee Subsidy in the Region of Durham, however waitlists for licensed child care are growing.
Contacts
Official sources
Program guide
The Regional Municipality of Durham Child Care and Early Years Division Services Division (2025)Application form
Childcare Directory
Frequently Asked Questions about the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) Program
What is the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)?
Durham Region’s Child Care Fee Subsidy Program helps families who live in Durham Region pay for licensed child care and approved full-day recreation programs. It supports families who are working, going to school, have a special or social need, or receive Ontario Works, with support for eligible care arrangements and required verification documents.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) program?
To be eligible for the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) program, you must:
Live in Durham Region.
Be the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 13 years and have a child care space secured with a confirmed start date within the next three months.
Be working, in school, in an approved training program, have a special or social need, or be in an approved Ontario Works activity, and meet the financial criteria.
What expenses are eligible under Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)?
Licensed child care
Approved full-day recreation programs
Who can I contact for more information about the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy)?
You can contact Regional Municipality of Durham or by phone at 905-666-6239.
Where is the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) available?
The Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) is a Grant and Funding