Child care costs in Quebec (2026)
Rules verified against official sources on 2026-07-05. Figures below are computed by the same engine as our cost calculator.
Quebec's subsidized (reduced-contribution) spaces cost a flat $9.65 per day in 2026 — indexed each January 1 — at CPEs, subsidized garderies, and recognized home child care, with no income test. Recipients of social assistance and certain other programs pay nothing, subject to conditions.
For non-subsidized care, Quebec's refundable tax credit covers 67% to 78% of eligible expenses depending on family income (78% up to $25,305; 67% above $122,290 — 2026 table), and can be received as monthly advance payments. The 2026 annual expense caps are $12,525 per child under 7 and $6,305 for other eligible children (now under 14, a 2026 change), or $17,145 for a child with a severe impairment.
What full-time care typically costs in Quebec
Monthly figures at a typical (median) provider fee, full-time centre care, before any income-tested subsidy. Universal programs (fee caps, automatic reductions) are applied; income-tested help can lower these further.
| Age group | Typical provider fee | What parents pay | Applied program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,050/mo | $209.08/mo | Quebec reduced contribution ($9.65/day, 2026) |
| Toddler | $980/mo | $209.08/mo | Quebec reduced contribution ($9.65/day, 2026) |
| Preschool | $980/mo | $209.08/mo | Quebec reduced contribution ($9.65/day, 2026) |
Typical fees are market medians; your provider's fee may differ. Use the calculator for your own income and situation.
Common questions
How much is subsidized daycare in Quebec in 2026?
$9.65 per day flat at subsidized CPEs, garderies, and recognized home child care — about $209/month full-time. The rate is indexed every January 1 and there is no income test.
What if I can't get a subsidized space in Quebec?
Non-subsidized care qualifies for Quebec's refundable tax credit of 67–78% of eligible expenses depending on family income, with a $12,525 annual cap per child under 7 in 2026. It can be paid out monthly in advance, and the net cost often lands close to the subsidized rate.
Official sources
- https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/childhood/childcare-centres/costs
- https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citizens/tax-credits/tax-credit-for-childcare-expenses/advance-payments/rates-for-the-tax-credit-for-childcare-expenses-for-2026/
- https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/finances/publications-adm/parametres/AUTFR_RegimeImpot2026.pdf
The measurement behind these figures
- $10-a-day: what provinces claim vs. what the registries show — Quebec's licensing registry publishes which programmes are in the reduced-fee scheme, so participation here is measured, not estimated.
- How many licensed daycares are in Quebec? — the province's licensed programme count, supply per 1,000 young children, and what its registry does and does not publish. Free CSV, CC BY 4.0.
- The State of Licensed Child Care in Canada 2026 — all eight provinces side by side, including how Quebec’s fees and supply compare.
Estimate your own cost in Quebec
The MapleCub calculator applies these rules to your income, hours, and child's age — including income-tested subsidies not shown in the table above.
Open the cost calculator →