Testing Website
Please note this is the testing website for london.ca. Information may be outdated on staging.london.ca, and we encourage those looking for information from the City of London to visit our official website at london.ca.
Child Care Fee Subsidy Program
Fee subsidy supports eligible families with the cost of child care expenses by paying a portion of the total cost, as funding permits.
Use the Child Care Fee Subsidy calculator see what your daily parent fee could be.
Child Care Fee Subsidy Calculator
Apply for fee subsidy
Applying online is the fastest way to find out if you qualify for fee subsidy.
Please note that:
- If you are applying online, it is your responsibility to submit all required documents to our office as outlined on the application form. Our office will not contact you for your documents.
- If you are leaving OW/ODSP, please indicate this on the application form; you may not be subject to the wait list.
- Therapeutic Referral Forms for child care must be completed and signed by your doctor or other professional.
Supporting documentation can be e-mailed, faxed, mailed or dropped off at the Child Care Fee Subsidy Office.
Print versions:
Therapeutic referral form for child care
Child care fee subsidy application form / Formulaire de demande pour la subvention de garde d’enfants
Application form supporting document checklist / Liste des documents à l'appui du formulaire de demande
Types of licensed child care programs
Centre-based
Licensed child care centres provide care for infants, toddlers and pre-school children, some centres may also offer programs for school aged children. These centres include nursery schools, full-day, and before-and-after school programs, all licensed by the Ministry of Education.
School-based
Before-and-after-school programs are offered for children attending full-day kindergarten up to grade six (ages 4-13). Full Day school age care is also provided for non instructional days (i.e. PD days, Christmas, March Break and summer). These programs are licensed by the Ministry of Education.
Home-based
Licensed home child care agencies contract individual caregivers to provide care for infants, toddlers and pre-school aged children within their own homes. Some home caregivers may also offer before-and-after school care. These programs are licensed by the Ministry of Education.
You may be eligible for child care fee subsidy if you:
- Have one or more children aged 0-12 years of age
- Live in the city of London
- Are currently employed
- Are attending an education institution, training program or course
- Your child has special needs
- Are ill, experiencing stress, or have a family circumstance
- Have a doctor or another professional recommending licensed child care
Community support associates
Community Support Associates receive fee subsidy applications. They are responsible for determining eligibility, providing updates to families about their ongoing subsidy, and providing referral information and supports available in the community.
For more information regarding your Community Support Associate, contact childcare@london.ca.
Child care subsidy wait list information
Children will be placed in child care programs based on the order of their application, using their date of eligibility. If budget allocations reach their maximum for the year, no new placements can be considered and the family will be placed on a waitlist.
Full day kindergarten is available at all elementary schools for children turning 4 or 5 by the end of the year. As a result, full day child care fee subsidy will not be provided for children this age. “Before” or “after” care and care for “school closure days” may be subsidized for eligible parents with children attending full-day kindergarten.
Covid-19 subsidy FAQs
My employer laid me off, or I am too nervous to return to work, am I still able to access fee subsidy for my child to attend care, even if I am not working?
If you were accessing the subsidy before, you may still be eligible, if you can provide a therapeutic referral completed by a health professional. Once received, the referral will be reviewed for eligibility.
When will my paperwork for an annual review be completed?
Annual reviews are being completed. Your subsidy will continue, even if you are due for your annual review.
My 2020 income has been drastically affected and I can’t afford my Daily Parent Fee. What can I do?
We recommend you complete your 2020 taxes as soon as possible. You can send in your T1 general tax form while your 2020 taxes are processed and waiting to receive your Notice of Assessment. If there is a 20 per cent or more decrease in income between 2019 and 2020 income, your review is a priority
Centre A can’t provide care for my child, but Centre B can. Am I still eligible for fee subsidy at Centre B?
Yes, at the same level of care and daily parent fee as before COVID-19, Centre B would need to notify the Children’s Services Child Care Fee Subsidy Office to confirm care.
I have applied for fee subsidy, but have not heard back. Any update?
You will be contacted within five business days of applying for Fee Subsidy about next steps
What if I’m unable to secure a spot at a child care centre? What happens to my subsidy?
- Your child care fee subsidy will be available to you through December 31,2021. After this time, you will have to re-apply for fee subsidy and could be subject to our waitlist.
Last modified:Tuesday, August 02, 2022