Centre versus licensed home daycare: total cost comparison
The posted fee is only part of the choice between a centre and a licensed home daycare. Subsidy treatment, extras, one time charges, and the drive can each differ by option. Enter both options honestly and compare the monthly total, the yearly total, and the cost per care day. Each option has its own subsidy estimates, because CWELCC participation and provincial treatment can differ between a centre and a home program. Amounts are entered in CAD.
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Measurement system Money displayInputs are always entered in CAD. The USD view converts for display only, using the rate above. Edit it any time.
Calculator Parents
Option A: licensed centre
Option B: licensed home daycare
Subsidy percentages are typical estimates for illustration, not official rates. Confirm CWELCC enrolment for each option: a home program only passes reductions on if its agency is enrolled.
Worked example
Centre fee $1,500 with federal 50 percent and provincial 30 percent of the remainder: net factor (1 minus 0.50) times (1 minus 0.30) equals 0.35, so the net fee is $525. Home fee $1,100 with federal 50 percent and provincial 20 percent: net factor 0.50 times 0.80 equals 0.40, so the net fee is $440. Care days 20, trips 2, driving cost $0.50 per km. Centre driving: 6 km times 2 times 20 times $0.50 equals $120 per month. Home driving: 2 km times 2 times 20 times $0.50 equals $40 per month. Centre monthly total: $525 plus $50 extras plus $120 equals $695. Home monthly total: $440 plus $20 plus $40 equals $500. First year: centre $695 times 12 plus $100 one time equals $8,440. Home $500 times 12 plus $50 equals $6,050. Cost per care day: centre $695 divided by 20 equals $34.75, home $500 divided by 20 equals $25.00. The home option estimates $195 less per month and $2,390 less in the first year. The calculator above is prefilled with these numbers.
How it works
Net fee per option equals its gross fee times (1 minus its federal percent) times (1 minus its provincial percent). Driving per option equals its one-way distance times trips per day times care days times cost per distance unit. Monthly total equals net fee plus extras plus driving. First year total equals the monthly total times 12 plus that option's one time charges. Cost per care day equals the monthly total divided by care days. Differences are shown as the lower cost option and the amount, never as a recommendation: group size, hours, flexibility, and fit for your child sit outside this math.
Estimates only. Subsidy defaults are typical estimates for illustration, not official rates, and CWELCC enrolment differs by provider and agency. This is not financial advice. Confirm fees, enrolment in subsidy programs, extras, and closure policies with each provider before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Does a licensed home daycare get the same CWELCC reduction as a centre?
Licensed home child care agencies that enrol in CWELCC pass reductions to their affiliated homes, but participation and amounts vary. That is why this comparison gives each option its own subsidy estimates instead of forcing one set on both.
How many children can a licensed home daycare take?
Limits are provincial. In Ontario, a licensed home provider may care for up to six children under 13, including the provider's own children under six, with no more than two children under two. Other provinces set their own limits. Group size affects availability and feel, not the math in this tool.
What costs does this comparison leave out?
It leaves out anything you do not enter: paid time off work when a home provider is ill or on vacation, backup care, and the value of hours or flexibility. Add a monthly amount for backup care to the extras field if you expect to need it.
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