Hoping for $10-a-day child care? Here’s how many Toronto daycares opted in to the federal program
The federal government wants to spend money on child care for a population that spends so little on child care. It’s a big ask.
The Toronto Star talked with daycares who participated in the Canada Child Benefit program for 2016 on behalf of the federal government. Here’s what they told us:
The Toronto Star/TIM ARNAUD
THE COSTS:
$2.6 million to help 1,000 children per day in Toronto (a $10-a-day subsidy)
Some of the daycares said they spent more than their parents did, but because they’re not paying tuition, there was no savings.
It was a challenge to get enough eligible children and, of course, a bigger challenge to get children to the daycare (for free or affordable tuition) within the Toronto daycare system. And, there were long wait times to get to the daycare. Some waited an entire day to get an appointment; others had to wait two weeks.
THE BENEFITS:
No cap on the number of child care spaces, so more parents can get help (and no waiting list)
Eligibility: Kids under the age of six, who have been recipients of a provincial, a federal or a combined income tax benefit, can apply
Children under the age of six, who have been recipients of a provincial, a federal or a combined income tax benefit, can apply Income verification
Children who are in subsidized private school
A parent-teacher conference with the Ontario child-care subsidy agency to find out if the family qualifies for subsidies
What parents do: The parents apply in person at the child-care agency and are then referred to their local Ontario child-care subsidy agency for a fee of $99.
How easy it will be for parents: Parents apply for a spot on the waiting list within two weeks to an agency, which gives them 10
