Apply for child care subsidy
Child care subsidy reduces the amount of money that you pay for licensed child care for your children 12 years or younger.
On this page
Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- Be living in Peel with children 12 years or younger.
- Be working, going to school, or have a special need for your child to attend child care.
- Have filed your previous year's income tax return (if you arrived in Canada this year, you may provide your Canada Child Benefit notice instead).
If you’re currently looking for work, you are not eligible for child care subsidy. You will need to wait until you have a confirmed work offer before applying.
Family composition
Family composition is a key part of assessing child care subsidy eligibility.
We’ll consider details like the status of the parent’s relationship, number of children needing child care, decision-making responsibilities in place, and other living arrangements. To learn more, refer to the family composition policy.
What you need
You’ll need to provide the 2022 Notice of Assessment or Canada Child Benefit Notice for each parent on your child care subsidy application.
During the application process, you’ll also need to provide all the required documents and identification.
How to apply
We recommend applying 4 weeks before you need child care. How to apply depends on your situation.
If you have received or applied for subsidy:
- In the last 12 months
Contact your most recent Children’s Services Worker. If you don’t know the name of your most recent worker, call 905-791-1585. - More than 12 months ago
Call us 905-793-9200, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 :30 p.m. Phone wait times may be shorter in the morning.
If you are:
- Receiving Ontario Works
Contact your Ontario Works Caseworker. - Currently staying in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
Speak with someone where you are staying to complete and submit a shelter referral.
If you have never applied for or received a subsidy in Peel Region
Create a Children’s Services account to access the online application. Use your first and last name and date of birth, not your child’s, when creating your account.
Get help creating an account and applying online
If you’re not able to apply online, or have arrived in Canada this year and don’t have a Notice of Assessment, you can apply by phone. Call us at 905-793-9200, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone wait times may be shorter in the morning.
Who to contact
If you have questions or would like more information, call us at 905-793-9200, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone wait times may be shorter in the morning.
More information
Get help applying for subsidy
Find licensed child care
You can find a child care space by using the licensed child care search tool.
When you find a child care space, contact the provider to see if they have a spot available for your child. Do not register your child with the provider until we’ve approved your child care subsidy.
