5.1 Fee Subsidy

POLICY

Child care plays a vital role in promoting healthy child development and enabling children to reach their full potential. It also supports families by helping them balance career and family responsibilities while participating in the workforce or pursuing education or training.

The Manitoulin Sudbury DSB oversees regular and Ontario Works child care fee subsidies. Parents may qualify for subsidies based on financial eligibility through the Income Test. Ontario Works participants may receive either fee subsidies or child care support if engaged in approved activities or identified as having social needs.
 

PROCEDURE

Effective January 1, 2025, child care fee subsidies will be available to families based on the following criteria:

CWELCC Enrolled Programs

Fee subsidies can support families with children aged 0 to 12 who are enrolled in centres/agencies participating in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

Non-CWELCC Programs Serving Older Children

Fee subsidies are also available for children enrolled in programs exclusively serving children aged 6 to 12.

Additional Eligible Programs

Fee subsidies can be provided for children enrolled in:

• Camps and children’s recreation programs.
• Before-and-after school programs offered directly by school boards or operated by third-party organizations.
• Unlicensed child care arrangements specifically for Ontario Works participants, as outlined in Ontario Works guidelines.

Fee subsidies for eligible families are subject to the following conditions:

• Availability of subsidy funds within the CMSM/DSSAB’s budget.
• Space availability within an eligible child care program.

Regional Access

In accordance with O. Reg. 138/15, the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will make reasonable efforts to collaborate with other CMSMs/DSSABs or eligible child care programs to facilitate access for eligible families seeking subsidized child care outside their home region.