Part time versus full time childcare cost comparison

Many families choose between schedules before they choose a centre. Enter the full time monthly fee and two schedules in days per week. Both schedules use the same estimated subsidy stacking as the main EarlyBloom true cost calculator, so you can compare the difference fairly. Amounts are in CAD.

Calculator

Full time monthly fee, 5 days per week, before subsidies (CAD) Schedule A, days per week Schedule B, days per week

Federal reduction starting estimate (percent of fee) Provincial subsidy starting estimate (percent of what remains)

Starting estimates for illustration, not official rates. These defaults are this site's own starting points, not provincial figures. Most provinces do not pay a percentage at all: they cap fees or set a fixed parent fee. Applied first at the federal layer, then at the provincial layer, the same way as the main true cost calculator.

Schedule A gross monthly fee-

Schedule B gross monthly fee-

Schedule A estimated out of pocket, monthly-

Schedule B estimated out of pocket, monthly-

Schedule A estimated out of pocket, yearly-

Schedule B estimated out of pocket, yearly-

Effective cost per care day, Schedule A-

Effective cost per care day, Schedule B-

Estimated yearly saving, Schedule B versus A-

Worked example

Full time fee $1,500. Schedule A is 5 days, so its gross fee is $1,500. Schedule B is 3 days, so its gross fee is $1,500 times 3 divided by 5, which is $900. Federal estimate 50 percent, then provincial estimate 30 percent of the remainder. Schedule A: federal $750, remainder $750, provincial $225, out of pocket $525 per month, or $6,300 per year. Schedule B: federal $450, remainder $450, provincial $135, out of pocket $315 per month, or $3,780 per year. Yearly saving with Schedule B: $2,520. The calculator above is prefilled with these numbers.

How it works

Gross fee for a schedule equals the full time fee times days per week divided by 5. Out of pocket equals the gross fee minus the federal estimate, minus the provincial estimate applied to what remains. Cost per care day uses 4.345 weeks per month on average, so days per month equals days per week times 4.345. Real providers may price part time days at a higher daily rate or require minimum days, so confirm the real schedule price with your provider.

Estimates only. Subsidy defaults are this site's own starting estimates for illustration, not official rates and not provincial figures. This is not financial advice. Confirm real fees, schedule rules, and subsidy amounts with your province and your provider.

Choosing a setting as well as a schedule? Compare a centre and a licensed home daycare on total cost.

Frequently asked questions

Do part time schedules always cost less per day?

Not always. Some providers charge a higher daily rate for part time places or hold a full time space. This comparison assumes the daily price is the same on both schedules, so check the real schedule price with your provider.

Can I use different subsidy estimates for each schedule?

This tool applies one set of estimates to both schedules so the comparison stays fair. If your province treats the schedules differently, run the main true cost calculator once per schedule with its own estimates.

Back to all EarlyBloom calculators, including the parent true cost, waitlist, and break even tools