Eligibility is determined using a provincial income test and the following criteria. Families (single or two parents/caregivers) must:

• Live in York Region
• Have children under the age of 13
• Be legally entitled to seek employment or attend school in Canada
• Have an assessed financial need (this is determined at the intake interview)
• File their income tax return every year
• Be unable to care for their children during the day because they are either:
• Employed
• Enrolled in an educational or training program
• In a situation where a family is experiencing exceptional circumstances

Who is not eligible

The following individuals are not eligible to receive child care fee subsidy:

• Tourists, visitors and persons under an active deportation order, exclusion order, or warrant for arrest
• Temporary residents with a valid work visa/permit who do not intend to apply for permanent resident status
• Temporary residents with a student visa/permit

The daily child care cost for a family receiving fee subsidy is based on net family income, the age of the child(ren) and the number of days of care. The following chart shows what a family receiving subsidy could pay for licensed child care under the provincial income test.

To help determine eligibility, use our child care subsidy calculator.

These amounts are estimates to give families an indication of what you may pay for child care based on your family's income. The actual cost for your family will be calculated and finalized at your intake interview.

There are three easy steps to apply for child care fee subsidy:

Step 1: Use the calculator and call the KIDS LINE or apply online

Use our child care fee subsidy calculator to help determine your eligibility. If you are eligible, complete the Child Care Fee Subsidy Online Application Form or call the KIDS Line at 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) for a pre-screening. You will be asked questions about your family, where you live, your income and your reasons for applying for fee subsidy. This pre-screening ensures families meet basic eligibility requirements before they are placed on the wait list.

If you receive Ontario Works, please apply for Child Care Fee Subsidy through your Social Assistance Case Coordinator.

Step 2: Submit your documents

If you apply through the Online Application Form, please send your most recent Notice of Assessment(s) or Canada Child Benefit Notice to one of our office locations listed below. You can also send the notice via email (feesubsidywaitlist@york.ca) or fax (905-895-8377).

If you apply over the phone, you will get a letter and an income verification form, which outlines next steps.  All applicants must submit the required documents within 60 days or the application will be declined. Once the documents are received and reviewed, you will be assigned a wait list status. You will receive a letter confirming your wait list status and information about the Early Years Program Finder where you can search for licensed child care providers in your area.

We suggest that you investigate child care options from the approved list before you are called for your intake interview. You can read resource packages about selecting quality licensed child care in a centre-based program or home-based program. Many child care programs have a waiting list for space so put your name on the wait list of the child care program that best suits your needs. This will speed up the process and you will be one-step closer to securing funding and space.

The length of time you are on the fee subsidy wait list depends on how many people are ahead of you. This is a first-come-first-served program and priority is given to families with a net income of $36,000 or less and families who may be experiencing exceptional circumstances.

Step 3: Prepare for your intake interview

When your name reaches the top of the wait list, you will be contacted to schedule an intake interview to discuss your eligibility and child care options. Before your intake interview, you will be provided with a list of required documents to bring with you.

At your interview, if all eligibility criteria are met using the provincial income test and review of documents, you will be informed of your eligibility for child care fee subsidy. You will also find out how much York Region will pay directly to the child care provider and how much you will be required to pay.

Child care fee subsidy applications are reviewed at the following York Region office locations:

• Georgina: 24262 Woodbine Avenue, Keswick, Ontario, L4P 3E9
• Newmarket: 17310 Yonge Street, Unit 9, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 7S1
• Richmond Hill: South Services Centre, 50 High Tech Road, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 4N7
• Vaughan: 9060 Jane Street, Vaughan, Ontario, L4K 0G5
• Markham: 9275 Markham Road, Markham, Ontario L6E 1A2

Your responsibilities

Families receiving a child care fee subsidy must follow the guidelines outlined in the Parent Agreement. Families must inform York Region immediately if any of the following changes occur:

• Moving to a new address
• Change in marital status
• Changes to family size (new birth)
• Leaving or starting employment or school
• Taking a leave of absence from work for any reason (such as pregnancy or medical leave)
• Leaving Canada for extended periods
  

Please report any changes immediately. If changes are not reported on time, the child care fee subsidy can be affected and families may be asked to repay York Region funding that they may not have been eligible to receive.

All subsidies are assessed annually to reconfirm eligibility. You will be notified of when you are due for an eligibility review and the steps required to maintain eligibility.

How to appeal decisions

Families have the right to appeal should they disagree with a decision regarding their child care fee subsidy. Reasons for appeal may include a family’s wait list status when there is an exceptional circumstance, a significant decrease in current year income or around an eligibility decision. Families must complete the Review Appeal Request form within 15 business days of receiving their decision. A review of the file will be conducted and a decision will be sent to families via mail.