The cost of daycare in Edmonton, as in most Canadian cities, is one of the biggest financial challenges for parents. For a family with one or two children, the monthly cost of daycare can easily range from $500 to $1,200 per month, which for many parents represents a significant portion of their income or even exceeds the income of one parent.
For newcomer parents, this cost is particularly burdensome. Newcomer parents often have lower incomes than established Canadians because they are often starting new careers or jobs that do not fully utilize their previous skills. In addition, newcomer parents are often unaware of the assistance programs available to them.
Fortunately, there are several federal, provincial, and municipal programs designed to help parents with the cost of daycare. In addition to government programs, there are also private organizations and programs that offer assistance.
In this comprehensive article, we will take a detailed look at everything parents need to know about assistance programs for paying for daycare in Edmonton. We will discuss federal programs, provincial programs, municipal programs, private programs, and how parents can apply for assistance.
Federal Assistance Programs
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
One of the most important federal programs that helps parents with the costs of raising children is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), also known as the Child Tax Benefit. This is a payment program provided by the federal government of Canada that is issued to parents with primary custody of children.
The amount of the CCB depends on the family's income and the number of children. A family with one child can receive up to $186 per month (as of 2025), and a family with three children can receive up to $543 per month. However, for families with higher incomes, the amount is reduced.
It is important to note that the CCB is a general child support program, not a program specifically designed to pay for daycare. Parents can use this money for any child-related expenses, including daycare, but also food, clothing, education, and other expenses.
To receive the CCB, parents must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and must file their tax return annually. Parents of newcomers who do not have a SIN must first apply for a SIN before they can apply for the CCB.
Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs)
Another federal program that can help parents with child-related expenses, although not directly for daycare, is Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). RESPs allow parents to save for their children's future education while receiving tax benefits and government grants.
In addition to the money that parents provide, the government provides the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), which is up to 20 percent of the amount that parents contribute to the RESP (maximum of five hundred dollars per year). In addition, many provinces, including Alberta, provide Additional Education Savings Grants (AESGs).
Although RESPs are technically designed for education rather than daycare, some parents use RESP grants to help with the costs of raising preschoolers.
Federal Preschool Subsidy Program
In recent years, the Canadian federal government has developed new preschool subsidy programs aimed at reducing the cost of preschool. However, these programs are not yet fully rolled out, and they vary by province.
In the province of Alberta, a federal subsidy program for preschool is being developed, but the details and implementation schedule are still being worked out at the time of this writing.
Parents should follow news from the Government of Canada and the province of Alberta regarding the development of this program.
Provincial assistance programs
Provincial childcare subsidy program (Alberta Child Care Subsidy)
The province of Alberta offers the Alberta Child Care Subsidy, a program designed to help low-income parents with the cost of childcare. The amount of the subsidy depends on the family's income and the type of childcare.
To receive the Alberta Child Care Subsidy, a family must have an income below a certain threshold. The threshold varies depending on family size, but in general, a family with one parent and one child must have an income below approximately thirty-five thousand dollars per year to be eligible for the maximum subsidy.
The amount of the subsidy also depends on the type of daycare. Some types of daycare, such as licensed daycare centers, have a higher subsidy than other types. In addition, the subsidy often covers only part of the cost of daycare, so parents still have to pay part of the cost themselves.
To apply for an Alberta preschool subsidy, parents must contact their municipal social services or regional child and family services centre. Parents must provide information about their family income and other personal information.
Other provincial programs
In addition to kindergarten subsidies, the province of Alberta also offers other programs that can help parents. For example, many parents are eligible for the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit, which provides tax benefits for low-income families who have kindergarten expenses.
In addition, parents may be eligible for other municipal or provincial programs, depending on their specific circumstances.
Municipal assistance programs
City of Edmonton assistance programs
The City of Edmonton offers several programs designed to help parents with the costs of daycare and other child services.
The City of Edmonton has an Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Subsidy Program designed to help low-income parents. Through this program, low-income families can receive a subsidy to help pay for daycare located in licensed facilities.
To apply for a municipal subsidy for daycare, parents should contact the City of Edmonton Child Care Help Line or visit the City's website for information on how to apply.
Financial assistance for after-school programs
In addition to subsidies for daycare, the City of Edmonton also offers support for after-school programs located in schools. Some after-school programs are subsidized, so the cost is lower for low-income families.
Money allocated to municipal and community centers
Some municipal and community centers in Edmonton also offer subsidized daycare programs. For example, some YMCAs in Edmonton offer daycare programs with a flexible sliding scale, which means that low-income parents pay less.
Parents should contact specific centers or community organizations for information on how to apply for a subsidized spot in their programs.
Private assistance programs
Charities and non-profit organizations
In addition to government programs, there are also several charitable organizations and non-profit organizations in Edmonton designed to help parents with the cost of preschool.
The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) and other newcomer organizations often have information about available preschool assistance programs and can help parents apply for these programs.
In addition, some charitable organizations offer grants or direct payments to parents to help with the cost of daycare. Parents can ask EMCN and other organizations about the availability of such programs.
Grants from employers
Some large employers in Edmonton offer grants or subsidies to their employees to help with the cost of daycare. Parents should ask their employer about the availability of such programs.
Educational assistance from cultural and community organizations
Some cultural and community organizations, such as Ukrainian organizations, may also offer grants or assistance to members of their community. Parents should contact the community organizations to which they belong to inquire about the availability of assistance.
Subsidized daycare programs
Municipal subsidized daycare programs
In addition to subsidies that parents can receive for use in private daycare centers, the City of Edmonton also directly manages some daycare programs that are offered at a subsidized cost.
These municipal programs are often located in community centers, schools, or special facilities. The cost is often lower than private preschools because the City subsidizes the cost.
However, space in municipal programs is limited, and waiting lists are often long. Parents interested in municipal programs should ask the City about available programs and the registration process as early as possible.
YMCA Programs
The YMCA in Edmonton offers daycare programs with sliding scale fees, which means that the cost varies depending on the family's income. The YMCA offers lower costs for low-income families and higher costs for higher-income families.
Parents should contact the YMCA in Edmonton to inquire about programs and the application process.
Cooperative Kindergartens
As discussed earlier, cooperative kindergartens are often less expensive than private kindergartens because parents do some of the work themselves. In addition, some cooperatives also offer subsidies for low-income families.
Tax credits
Federal tax credit for daycare
The Canadian federal government offers a tax credit called the Eligible Dependent Amount (formerly known as the Dependent Amount), which allows parents to deduct daycare expenses from their taxable income.
In addition, some parents may be eligible for the Child Care Expense Deduction, which allows parents to deduct daycare expenses directly from their taxable income.
To claim these tax credits, parents must have documentation of their daycare expenses and must submit this information on their tax return.
Provincial Tax Credits
In addition to federal tax credits, the province of Alberta also offers tax credits related to child expenses. Parents should make sure they apply for all available provincial tax credits.
How to Apply for Assistance
Gathering documentation
The first step in applying for assistance is to gather the necessary documentation. For most assistance programs, parents must provide documentation of family income, documentation of family size, and documentation of daycare expenses.
Income documentation may include a tax return from the previous year, a letter from an employer regarding income, or other documents that prove income.
Documentation of daycare expenses may include receipts from the daycare center, bills, or other documents that show expenses.
Applying
Once parents have the necessary documentation, they can apply for assistance. Depending on the program, parents can apply online, by mail, or in person.
For federal programs such as the CCB, parents can apply through Service Canada or through their tax return.
For provincial programs, such as the Alberta Child Care Subsidy, parents must apply through their regional Child and Family Services Centre.
For municipal programs, such as the Edmonton Municipal Child Care Subsidy, parents must apply through the City of Edmonton.
Application processing
Once the application is submitted, the organization will review the application and determine whether the parents are eligible for assistance and the amount of assistance.
Processing times vary depending on the program and the complexity of the application. Some programs are processed in a few days, while others can take several weeks.
Parents should track the status of their application and ensure they receive updates on the decision.
Appealing Decisions
If parents are dissatisfied with the decision on their application, they often have the right to appeal. The appeal process varies depending on the program, but in general, parents can submit a written appeal with additional information or documentation that supports their case.
Important tips for maximizing assistance
Apply as early as possible
One of the most important tips is to apply for assistance as early as possible. Some programs have limited funds and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so some applicants may not receive assistance if they apply too late.
In addition, some programs have a waiting period, so parents may not receive assistance immediately, but instead may begin receiving assistance after several months.
Find all the programs for which you may be eligible
Another important tip is to make sure that parents find all the programs for which they may be eligible. Some parents miss out on programs they could have used simply because they did not know about them.
Parents can ask EMCN and other organizations for newcomers for a list of all available assistance programs.
Understand the eligibility criteria
In addition to applying, parents should also understand the eligibility criteria for each program. Some programs have strict eligibility criteria, while others are less strict.
Parents who are on the borderline of eligibility should still apply, as they may be eligible for partial assistance even if they are not eligible for full assistance.
Keep track of income changes
It is also important to keep track of income changes, as many assistance programs are income-based. If a family's income changes, parents should update their information with assistance programs, as the amount of assistance may change.
In addition, if income decreases, parents may be eligible for more assistance.
Common challenges and how to overcome them
Long waiting lists
One of the biggest challenges in getting assistance is long waiting lists. Some assistance programs have such long waiting lists that parents must wait months before they receive assistance.
To overcome this challenge, parents should apply as early as possible and make sure they are registered on the waiting list. In addition, parents can ask if they can be placed on multiple waiting lists for different programs.
Complex application processes
Another challenge is the complexity of the application process. Some programs require a lot of documentation and can be difficult for parents to understand.
To overcome this challenge, parents can ask EMCN and other newcomer organizations for help with their applications. These organizations often have staff who can help parents navigate the process.
Insufficient assistance
Another challenge is that even when parents do receive assistance, the amount of assistance is often insufficient to cover the full cost of preschool.
To overcome this challenge, parents can combine multiple assistance programs or seek out less expensive preschool options, such as home-based preschools or cooperatives.
Language and cultural barriers
For parents of newcomers who do not speak English well, language barriers can be a problem when applying for assistance.
To overcome this challenge, parents can request an interpreter from assistance organizations. In addition, parents can ask EMCN and other newcomer organizations for help in communicating with assistance organizations.
Numbers and statistics
Cost of daycare in Edmonton
The average cost of full-time daycare in Edmonton is about $800 per month (as of 2025), although this varies depending on the type of daycare and location.
For a family with one child, this means that daycare costs about $9,000 to $10,000 per year.
For a family with two children, the cost can exceed $15,000 per year.
Number of parents using assistance
Research shows that a significant proportion of parents in Alberta use some form of assistance for daycare. However, many parents who are eligible for assistance are unaware of the programs or how to apply.
Impact of assistance on labour force participation
Research shows that when parents receive assistance for childcare, they are more motivated to participate in the labour force. On the other hand, without childcare assistance, some parents, especially mothers, leave the labour force to stay home with their children.
Resources and contacts
Federal resources
- Service Canada: www.servicecanada.gc.ca - for information about CCB and other federal programs
- Canada Revenue Agency: www.cra-arc.gc.ca - for tax credits and deductions
- Government of Canada: www.canada.ca - for general information about federal programs
Provincial resources
- Alberta Government: www.alberta.ca - for information about Alberta assistance programs
- Alberta Health Services: for information about health and social services
Municipal resources
- City of Edmonton: www.edmonton.ca - for information about municipal Kindergarten
- City of Edmonton Child Care Help Line: for questions about kindergarten assistance programs
Newcomer organizations
- Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN): for help finding assistance programs and submitting applications
- Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia and similar organizations: for similar services
Conclusion
There are many assistance programs in Edmonton and Alberta designed to help parents with the cost of daycare. From federal programs such as the CCB to provincial programs such as daycare subsidies to municipal programs and programs offered by private organizations, parents have several options for obtaining financial assistance.
However, for many parents, especially newcomers, the existence of these programs remains unknown. The key to receiving assistance is to actively research available programs, understand eligibility criteria, and apply as early as possible.
In addition to government programs, parents should also explore private options such as cooperatives and subsidized programs, which are often less expensive than private daycares.
For parents of newcomers, organizations such as the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers can be a valuable resource in finding assistance and submitting applications.
By combining several assistance programs and researching low-cost childcare options, parents can often significantly reduce their childcare costs, making the service more affordable and manageable for their families.